Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, reportedly has a contingency plane to flee the country if the security forces fail to suppress the growing protests, which are now on the ninth day.
Khamenei, 86, is reportedly planning to escape Tehran with his close aides and family, according to an intelligence report shared with British newspaper The Times.
According to one intelligence source, “The ‘plan B’ is for Khamenei and his very close circle of associates and family, including his son and nominated heir apparent, Mojtaba.”
Mojtaba is widely considered a potential successor.
The move would be triggered if Iran’s military or internal security forces become unwilling or unable to enforce orders.
Beni Sabti, who served in Israeli intelligence, said that Khamenei would flee to Moscow as “there is no other place for him “
Sabti said that Khamenei views Putin favourably and considers Russia a cultural and political ally more than Western states.
According to the report, the plan is based on observations made from the collapse of Syria’s former ruler, Bashar al-Assad, and his subsequent exile in Moscow in December 2024.
An exit route out of Tehran assets and properties and cash have all been gathered to facilitate their escape, the source said. Khamenei also controls extensive holdings through a network of foundations, including Setad, a powerful quasi-state organisation. A 2014 investigation into his assets found that the value of assets under his control stood at roughly $95 billion.
The Iranian anti-regime protesters are burning down more and more propaganda billboards.
— Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) January 5, 2026
The latest billboard to be taken care of was located in Fardis and had the images of Khomeini and Khamenei.
Via @ShayanX0 pic.twitter.com/pj1Hlb8ttQ
Many in his circle also already live outside Iran, including in North America and the Gulf.
The report has surfaced as protests driven by economic hardships have reached the ninth day in Iran.
Protesters have been seen setting fire to images of Iran’s founding leader, Ruhuollah Khomeini, and Ali Khamenei on Sunday. Demonstrations and unrest were reported in 222 locations across 78 cities in 26 provinces, and the death toll has risen to 20.
Efforts by police and security forces to quell protests have intensified.
Khamenei has been keeping a low profile in recent weeks and has not addressed the latest protests.
