Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has reportedly drawn up a secret escape route to Moscow should the ongoing protests overwhelm his regime’s grip on power. According to an intelligence report cited by The Times of London, the 86-year-old ruler would depart Tehran with a small entourage of up to 20 family members and aides, including his son and heir apparent, Mojtaba Khamenei. This contingency mirrors the recent flight of Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad, who sought refuge in Russia after his downfall in December 2024.
The plan involves stockpiling assets abroad, drawing from Khamenei’s control over vast holdings estimated at $95 billion through opaque foundations like Setad. Intelligence sources indicate that many in his inner circle already have relatives settled in places like the United States, Canada, and Dubai, facilitating a smooth exit. Khamenei’s choice of Moscow is obvious with Tehran’s deepening alliance with Vladimir Putin’s Russia, a partnership that has supplied drones and missiles for conflicts in Ukraine and against Israel.