British newspaper: Khamenei prepared a plan to flee Iran

5th January 2026

3 minutes read

British newspaper: Khamenei prepared a plan to flee Iran

A British newspaper revealed that Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, has drawn up a backup plan to leave the country if unrest escalates.

According to The Times, “Khamenei is planning to flee to Moscow if the unrest in Iran intensifies,” noting that he has “devised a plan to leave Tehran if his forces fail to suppress the opposition.”

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Quoting an intelligence report it reviewed, the newspaper said that the 86-year-old Khamenei “plans to flee Tehran accompanied by a close circle of up to twenty aides and family members if he believes the army and security forces tasked with quelling the unrest defect, abandon their duties, or refuse to obey orders.”

An intelligence source told the newspaper that “the contingency plan is designed for Khamenei and his tight inner circle, as well as members of his family, including his son and possible heir, Mojtaba.”

Benny Sabti, who served for decades in Israeli intelligence after fleeing Iran eight years after the revolution, told The Times: “Khamenei will turn to Moscow because he has nowhere else to go.”

He added that “Khamenei holds admiration for Russian President Vladimir Putin.”

So far, neither Iran nor Russia has officially commented on the report.

Details of the plan

According to the same newspaper, this scenario draws on the experience of his ally, former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, who fled Damascus to Moscow at the end of 2024, shortly before opposition forces took control of the capital in December.

The source explained: “They have prepared a plan to leave Tehran if they feel the need to flee,” which includes “gathering assets, overseas properties, and cash to facilitate their safe passage.”

The newspaper noted that Khamenei controls a vast network of assets, some under the umbrella of Setad — one of Iran’s most powerful institutions — part of a system of semi-governmental charitable foundations known for financial secrecy.

According to a 2013 Reuters investigation, the total value of these assets is estimated at 95 billion dollars, including real estate and companies, all owned and controlled by Khamenei.

Many of his closest associates — including the secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, Ali Larijani, who warned President Trump against interfering in Tehran’s affairs — already have family members living abroad, including in the United States, the paper said.

Widespread protests

Several Iranian cities have witnessed widespread protests over the past week, triggered by deteriorating economic conditions, and even reaching key religious cities such as Qom.

Protesters accuse riot-control forces — made up of the Revolutionary Guard, the Basij, the police, and the army — of using excessive force, including live ammunition, tear gas, and water cannons.

These forces operate under Khamenei’s absolute authority as the country’s supreme leader, who dominates the military, the courts, and the media.

Khamenei relies on the Revolutionary Guard as a central source of power to carry out his orders.

When will the plan be activated?

The escape plan will be activated if Khamenei feels that his security forces are no longer following orders.

According to a psychological assessment prepared by a Western intelligence agency and reviewed by The Times: “Flight or defection is not an easy decision, as Khamenei protects his loyalists and controls key appointments and their security.”

However, the same assessment indicated that Khamenei has appeared “weaker” since last year’s twelve-day war with Israel. He has almost vanished from public view and was neither seen nor heard from during the final days of the protests.