Israel considered installing former Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad as ruler during the early days of the US-Israeli war on the country.

US officials told the New York Times that the former president, previously known for his staunchly anti-US and anti-Israel views, was directly consulted on the issue.

They said Ahmadinejad was injured on the war’s first day by an Israeli strike at his home in Tehran that had been designed to free him from house arrest.

According to an associate, he became became disillusioned with the regime change plan after the strike.