Khamenei “Has Plan to Flee Iran for Russia” if Protests Escalate

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has a contingency plan to flee the country for Russia if nationwide protests overwhelm Iran’s security forces, according to a report citing intelligence sources.

At least 35 people have been killed and more than 1,200 detained during a week of unrest, the Human Rights Activists News Agency said, adding that four children were among the dead. The demonstrations, initially driven by the collapse of Iran’s currency, have increasingly included calls for the overthrow of the Islamic Republic.

An intelligence source told The Times that the 86-year-old leader would leave Tehran with up to 20 close aides and family members if the army or security services began to defect or disobey orders. The plan reportedly includes an exit route from the capital and preparations of assets and cash abroad.

Sources said Moscow would be the likely destination, citing Khamenei’s ties with Russian President Vladimir Putin and closer political alignment. Iran’s semi-official Fars news agency reported hundreds of injuries among police and members of the Basij militia during clashes.

The unrest has not yet reached the scale of the 2022–23 protests sparked by the death of Mahsa Amini, but chants of «Down with the Islamic Republic» and «Death to the dictator» have been reported. President Masoud Pezeshkian has urged dialogue and promised economic reforms, while rights groups accuse security forces of indiscriminate violence.

Kursiv Uzbekistan also reports that China has banned the export of dual-use goods that could have military applications to Japan, citing national security concerns amid escalating tensions over Taiwan.