'Israel' trained Kurdish fighters to overthrow Iranian regime: Report

• Trump halted 'Israeli'-backed Kurdish incursion into Iran.
• Ahmadinejad reportedly eyed as Mossad’s post-regime successor.

'Israel's' Channel 13 revealed details on Sunday evening of a covert Mossad masterplan aimed at overthrowing the Iranian government by training thousands of Kurdish fighters inside 'Israel' to execute an armed ground invasion into Iranian territory.

According to Channel 13, the plan—code-named "Puss in Boots"—began taking shape under former Mossad Chief David Barnea following Operation "With Lions' Pride" in June 2025.

The strategy called for extensive air strikes across the Kurdish region to create a corridor through which 'Israeli'-trained Kurdish forces could enter Iran, triggering nationwide anti-government uprisings.

"Mossad officials identified former Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in closed-door discussions under the code name 'The Friend', earmarking him as a prospective candidate to lead Iran following a regime collapse," Channel 13 reported.

US pushback

Thousands of Kurdish fighters were brought to 'Israel' to undergo operational training, with explicit instructions that any harm caused to civilians would result in an immediate termination of 'Israeli' military support, Channel 13 detailed.

In February 2026, during a White House meeting between US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, American leadership inquired about the readiness timeline.

While Barnea estimated the collapse could take up to a year, Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir cautioned it could take up to three years.

Although President Trump initially gave a green light to initiate the campaign, Washington abruptly reversed its position three days after operations commenced.

"Three days after the start of the campaign, we received a 'Don't' message," a senior 'Israeli' official told Channel 13.

'Israeli' officials attributed Washington's sudden directive to heavy diplomatic pushback from Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan alongside internal pressure from US Vice President JD Vance.

Despite efforts by the political leadership and Mossad to alter the decision, an alternative plan proposed by Barnea failed to produce the intended results.

"Project Garden"

In a separate disclosure, Channel 13 revealed that an internal review panel was established within Mossad to investigate "Project Garden"—a high-budget, global influence operation launched following October 7, 2023.

The operation was managed outside Mossad headquarters by a prominent campaign director.

Channel 13 reported that while Mossad stated the internal audit was conducted to regulate procedures rather than address financial embezzlement, the campaign adviser in charge of the project resigned shortly before Barnea's retirement.