- January 5, 2026
- 1:43 pm
- Middle East
Amid growing protests in Iran, the country’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, according to intelligence sources, has prepared a backup plan in case of a collapse of internal control. This is not about rhetoric or psychological pressure, but about a specific evacuation scheme beyond the country’s borders — with money, real estate, and a pre-determined route.
Plan “in case of security forces’ refusal”
According to incoming information, the 86-year-old Khamenei is considering the option of immediate departure from Tehran if the army, intelligence services, or the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps stop following his orders. The key trigger is the desertion or defection of security forces to the side of the protesters.
The plan involves evacuation not alone. Along with Khamenei, his son and presumed heir Mojtaba, as well as his closest entourage, are to leave the country. The financial part of the operation, it is claimed, has long been prepared: cash, foreign assets, and real estate have been arranged in advance.
Why Moscow specifically
Former Israeli intelligence officer Beni Sabti points out that Russia is considered the final point of evacuation. According to him, Khamenei perceives Vladimir Putin as an example of a tough leader, and Russia itself as a culturally and politically close space.
This scenario eerily resembles events of the recent past. In 2024, Bashar Assad, having lost control of the situation in Syria, was also evacuated to Moscow, where he received personal security guarantees. For the Iranian leader, this precedent became a clear demonstration: the Kremlin is ready to accept “falling allies.”
Weakening positions after the conflict with Israel
Although Khamenei has spent decades building a system of personal loyalty — controlling appointments, eliminating potential competitors, and strengthening the security apparatus — recent events have significantly undermined this structure. The military conflict with Israel, economic collapse, and growing internal discontent have sharply narrowed the room for maneuver.
The supreme leader appears in public less and less frequently. In Iranian elites, this is interpreted not only as health problems but also as a conscious survival strategy. Analysts describe Khamenei as an extremely cautious and suspicious politician who is ready for tactical concessions to preserve his own safety.
Protests are getting out of control
The economic crisis, the collapse of the rial, and rising prices have turned social discontent into street violence. In several regions, clashes with the police have already led to casualties. In the Lorestan province, according to official data, three protesters and one security representative were killed, dozens were injured, and at least 29 were detained.
International reaction is becoming increasingly harsh. U.S. Ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz publicly declared support for the Iranian people, placing responsibility for the crisis on the current regime.
A signal that is hard to ignore
The very fact of preparing an evacuation plan — even if it is not implemented — speaks volumes. For the first time in years of rule, the supreme leader of Iran, apparently, is considering the scenario of personal escape. This is an indicator of the depth of the crisis into which the country is plunging and an acknowledgment that the usual mechanisms of retaining power no longer guarantee results.
How far the protests will go and whether the “Moscow route” will become a reality is an open question. But its very outline has already become part of the political reality of the region, closely monitored by NAnews — News of Israel | Nikk.Agency.
