Who was Ahmadinejad? The life of the former president reported killed in US, 'Israel' strikes

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Iranian and international media outlets reported today, Sunday, that former Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad (69) was killed following an airstrike targeting his residence in the "Narmak" district of eastern Tehran. This operation is part of a series of coordinated military strikes launched by the United States and 'Israel' against high-profile targets within the Iranian regime.

Details of the Strike

According to the Iranian Labor News Agency (ILNA) and several international news networks, Ahmadinejad’s residence was targeted late Saturday night. Reports indicate that the strike resulted in his immediate death, along with several of his personal bodyguards. This targeting comes amidst an unprecedented military escalation that has reportedly targeted top leadership figures, following news of strikes against the Supreme Leader in simultaneous operations.

Why Was He Targeted?

Military and political analysts suggest that despite Ahmadinejad’s relative distance from executive power in recent years, his targeting stems from several strategic and political factors:

Political Symbolism: Ahmadinejad remains one of the most recognizable faces of Iranian hardline policy and defiance against the West for over a decade.
Expediency Discernment Council: He still held a position within this influential body, which plays a pivotal role in managing crises and making fateful state decisions.
Nuclear Legacy: His name is inextricably linked to the rapid acceleration of Iran's nuclear program during his presidency, a file viewed as an existential threat by 'Israel' and the US.
Hostile Rhetoric: Known for his inflammatory speeches calling for 'Israel' to be "wiped off the map" and his questioning of the Holocaust, he has long been a target for international intelligence operations.

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad: From Academia to a Controversial Presidency

The Past: Nationalistic Rise
Born in 1956 in the village of Aradan, Ahmadinejad later moved to Tehran. He earned a PhD in Civil Engineering and Traffic Planning. His political career began as the Governor of Ardabil, but he rose to prominence as the Mayor of Tehran (2003–2005), where he branded himself as a "man of the people" and a crusader against corruption, paving the way for his surprise presidential victory in 2005.

The Presidency (2005–2013)
His two terms (9th and 10th presidencies) were marked by several defining moments:

Domestic Front: His 2009 re-election sparked massive protests known as the "Green Movement," which the regime suppressed with heavy security measures.
Foreign Policy: He engaged in sharp verbal and diplomatic confrontations with Western powers, defying UN Security
Council resolutions regarding uranium enrichment.
Economy: He implemented direct subsidy policies, but his tenure saw high inflation due to mounting international sanctions.

The Present: The "Maverick" Critic

In recent years, Ahmadinejad shifted from being the "Supreme Leader's favorite" to a vocal critic of the ruling elite. He attempted to run for president again in 2017, 2021, and 2024, but was disqualified each time by the Guardian Council. He spent his final years under security surveillance while maintaining a populist presence on social media, criticizing the country’s economic and political state.

A Controversial Legacy

Ahmadinejad leaves behind a deeply divided legacy. While supporters view him as a champion of the poor and a defender of Iranian sovereignty, critics and much of the international community hold him responsible for Iran’s economic isolation and for putting the country on a direct collision course with the world.