02.06.2026 11:51
Former head of the Israeli military's Intelligence Directorate, Tamir Hayman, stated that the secret plans prepared by the US and Israel to overthrow the Iranian administration were thwarted due to President Erdogan's intervention. Hayman indicated that Erdogan persuaded US President Donald Trump and prevented the operation, which also involved plans to use groups affiliated with the terrorist organization PKK, from being carried out.
Former head of Israeli Military Intelligence Directorate (AMAN) Tamir Hayman alleged that the U.S. and Israel prepared secret plans to overthrow the Iranian regime. Hayman claimed one of the initial stages involved launching the plan through Kurdish groups, but the process was disrupted after President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan convinced U.S. President Donald Trump.
HAYMAN'S STRIKING STATEMENTS
Speaking to PBS, a U.S. broadcaster, former AMAN chief Tamir Hayman claimed that during the military process against Iran, the U.S. and Israel worked on broader plans that went beyond airstrikes.
Hayman stated that scenarios aimed at regime change in Iran were on the table, and plans for former Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to reassume a political role were also considered. Such allegations had previously appeared in the international press.
"IT WAS TO BEGIN WITH A KURDISH OPERATION"
Hayman argued that the plan included a series of special operations, using the following words: "Regarding Ahmadinejad, there was a series of very, very unique special operations planned, and Ahmadinejad was part of that series. Except for the Kurdish operation, the rest of the operations were not fully disclosed to the public, because the entire chain of operations was intended to be initiated with the Kurdish operation."
Similar claims that Israel and the U.S. considered exerting pressure through Kurdish groups in Iran had previously appeared in various international publications.
"ERDOĞAN CONVINCED TRUMP"
Hayman's most notable claim was regarding the reason for the plan's cancellation. The former intelligence chief alleged that the initiative could not be implemented due to discussions between President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and U.S. President Donald Trump.
According to Hayman, the plan involving the use of ethnic-based armed groups against Iran was shelved after Erdoğan's intervention. No official confirmation of this claim has been made from Ankara or Washington.
"TRUMP'S DECISION WAS A SURPRISE FOR ISRAEL"
Hayman also said he disagreed with the widely held public view that "Israel convinced Trump to attack Iran." He argued that Trump's tough steps against Iran were also a surprise for Israel, alleging that the U.S. President unexpectedly brought the military option against Iran to the agenda, prompting Israel to accelerate its own planning.
EYES ON NEW STATEMENTS
While Hayman's statements have sparked widespread reaction in the international community, possible regime change scenarios against Iran and the role of regional actors in this process have become a subject of renewed debate. Allegations, particularly regarding how Kurdish groups are factored into the Iran equation, have frequently appeared in international media headlines recently.