The Iranian leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is preparing to flee to Russia if the anti-regime protests escalate.

The supreme leader of Iran, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, is considering an escape to Russia in the event that anti-regime protests become uncontrollable. In the last 9 days, protests in Tehran, initiated by merchants, have turned into popular uprisings with slogans calling for the overthrow of the theocratic regime. According to the British Times publication, American and British intelligence agencies suspect that Khamenei has developed an evacuation plan, considering that Moscow has been a refuge for deposed authoritarian leaders. Khamenei, at the age of 86, could leave Tehran along with his family and close associates, including his son, Mojtaba, if security forces fail to control the situation. The protests, which began on December 28, are fueled by a severe economic crisis, with inflation exceeding 52%. During the confrontations, at least 12 deaths have been reported, and Iran accuses Israel of undermining national unity. Donald Trump has warned that the United States will respond severely if protesters are killed.