With anti-regime unrest spreading across Iran, the country’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, is secretly planning his escape if the regime falls, The Times of London revealed Monday, quoting an intelligence source.
Khamenei has good reasons to work out a backup plan. His regime suffered a serious military and morale setback in the Twelve-Day War with Israel last summer. Khamenei’s own position within the regime has been weakened by the loss of many of his long-time confidants and key military commanders since Iran-backed Hamas launched the terrorist invasion of Israel on October 7, 2023.
Russia appears to be an obvious destination for a failed Iranian dictator. Nearly one year ago, the Iran-backed dictator of Syria, Bashar al-Assad, fled to Moscow after his regime collapsed after 50 years of clan rule. Khamenei, who leads the chants of “Death to America” at weekly Friday prayers in Tehran, has been at the helm of the tyrannical Islamic regime since 1989.
Let #Khamenei run to Russia, or even better – let him stand trial. It’s about time the illegitimate ockupants in Iran are removed. #IranProtests #IranProtests2026 pic.twitter.com/q2BXdXMbtH
— Markus Wiechel (@MarkusWiechel) January 5, 2026