In the early stages of the Iran war, following the assassination of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, U.S. President Donald Trump suggested that Iran's next leader should emerge from within the country. Among the names discussed was former President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, whose potential candidacy shocked many due to his history of anti-American rhetoric and support for nuclear development. The plan, reportedly developed by Israeli officials, aimed to leverage Ahmadinejad's discontent with the current regime to stabilize Iran post-conflict. However, the plan unraveled when Ahmadinejad was injured in an Israeli airstrike on his residence, which was intended to free him from house arrest. Although he survived, he became disillusioned with the regime change efforts. The broader strategy, which included air assaults and mobilization of Kurdish forces, failed to gain traction, highlighting the underestimation of Iran's resilience. Despite the setbacks, some Israeli officials maintained hope for a successful regime change, with Mossad chief David Barnea suggesting that the plan still had potential if fully executed.