Khamenei preparing escape route to Russia

Iran’s supreme leader reportedly has devised a back-up plan to flee to Moscow, as the uprising against the government intensifies and spreads across the country.

By David Rosenberg, World Israel News

Iran’s supreme leader is preparing for the possible collapse of the Islamic regime, with plans to flee the country for Russia with a group of relatives and aides in the event that the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps either fails to crush the ongoing uprising or deserts, according to an intelligence report.

On Sunday, The Times published details from the report, including information on Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s “plan B” in the event that the IRGC turns on the regime or is unable to maintain control.

In the event the uprising is successful, the 86-year-old Shi’ite cleric plans to escape Iran with a group of around 20 relatives and aides.

According to an intelligence source cited by The Times, the entourage accompanying Khamenei out of the country would include his son, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, Khamenei’s chosen successor.

“The ‘plan B’ is for Khamenei and his very close circle of associates and family, including his son and nominated heir apparent, Mojtaba.”

Iranian-born former Israeli intelligence officer Beni Sabti said that it was clear Khamenei’s destination, should he flee, would be Moscow.

“There is no other place for him,” he told The Times, adding that Khamenei is an admirer of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

If Khamenei does seek sanctuary in Russia, it would mark the second time in just over a year that a Russian ally has been forced to flee to Moscow.

In December 2024, deposed Syrian President Bashar al-Assad was spirited out of Damascus, flying to the Russian capital, where he has resided since.

One source cited in Sunday’s report said that Khamenei’s inner circle has already charted “an exit route out of Tehran should they feel the need to escape.”

Now, those included in the plan are “gathering assets, properties abroad and cash to facilitate their safe passage.”

The report comes as the protests against the regime continue to expand, and against the backdrop of warnings from the US that it could intervene if IRGC forces continue to use deadly force against protesters.

President Donald Trump, who warned Iran not to kill civilians last week, reiterated his warning on Sunday, telling reporters on Air Force One that the regime will “get hit very hard by the US” if it continues to kill demonstrators.

The State Department warned Tehran not to “mess with President Trump,” posting a Farsi-language message on its X account writing that Trump is a “man of action.”