Former Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad Survives Suspected Assassination Attempt After Car Sabotage
TEHRAN, Iran – Former Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad narrowly escaped a suspected assassination attempt after his convoy vehicle was allegedly sabotaged, according to multiple Iranian media sources.
The dramatic incident occurred on Monday, July 15, as Ahmadinejad was en route to Zanjan to attend a Muharram religious ceremony. Reports indicate that the air conditioning system in his primary vehicle—a Toyota Land Cruiser—was malfunctioning. Sensing something suspicious, the ex-president’s chief of security advised him to switch vehicles just before departure.
Shortly afterward, the Land Cruiser—now carrying Ahmadinejad’s bodyguards and close aides—spun out of control, colliding with another vehicle in the convoy before coming to a halt after hitting a third car. Fortunately, no fatalities were reported.
Iran International TV, a London-based Persian-language network, reported that the vehicle had recently undergone repairs for the air conditioning issue just two days prior. Authorities were officially notified of the incident five days later.
While no group has claimed responsibility, the timing and nature of the vehicle malfunction have sparked serious concerns among Iranian officials and international observers, raising questions about potential foul play and internal political tensions.
Ahmadinejad, who served as Iran’s president from 2005 to 2013, remains a controversial figure within the country’s political landscape. This latest incident adds to the growing list of threats faced by former and current political leaders in the region.
