Ayatollah Khamenei plans to flee to Moscow if Iran unrest intensifies
The Times••world
Key Points:
- Iran is experiencing widespread protests driven by economic hardships, with violent suppression by forces under Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei's command, including the IRGC and Basij militia.
- Khamenei, who holds vast assets estimated at $95 billion through complex networks, reportedly has an escape plan modeled on Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad’s flight to Moscow, involving securing assets abroad for a potential exit from Tehran.
- Despite his ideological motivations, Khamenei is described as a paranoid and pragmatic long-term thinker, currently perceived as weakened mentally and physically since last year’s conflict with Israel, and has been notably absent during recent protests.
- Many of Khamenei’s close aides have family living abroad, indicating a potential safety net outside Iran, while
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