Khamenei's top aide planning to flee Iran, held secret talks with Russia: Report

As Israel continues to target Iranian nuclear and military facilities, a top aide of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, Ali Asghar Hejazi, is engaged in secret negotiations with Russia to flee the country, according to a report. 

Hejazi is reportedly one of the most influential actors in Iran's establishment and has been a close aide to Khamenei for the last decades. His rise through the ranks of Iran’s intelligence community and the Office of the Supreme Leader has put in a position of power in Tehran.

However, the escalation has terrorised Hejazi, who is busy contacting the Russians to escape Israel's clutches. Senior officials in Moscow have assured Hejazi that in the case of an escalation of the war, Moscow would help secure an exit for the leader and his family, according to Iran International. The evacuation would be done via a secure corridor.

Also read: 'Iranian leaders packing their bags': Benjamin Netanyahu says Ayatollah regime was planning to give nuclear weapons to proxies

Not just Hejazi, many senior Iranian leaders are reportedly seeking an exit route as Israel ramps up its attack. On Saturday, in a video message on X, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that Iranian leaders were  "packing their bags".

 As for Russia, the Kremlin is now resorting to a balancing act, with President Vladimir Putin expressing willingness to "provide mediation services to prevent further escalation of tensions." Moscow has a strong economic and military ties with Tehran and has issued a statement condemning the attack, stating "all consequences of this provocation will fall on the Israeli leadership."

Pro-Kremlin analyst Sergei Markov said that a war between Israel and Iran could be advantageous to Russia saying that “The world’s attention to Ukraine will weaken.” 

That said, Moscow is yet to signal that it was willing to offer support other than the statement, despite a partnership treaty between the countries.

Middle East