Top Iranian officials are reportedly seeking asylum in Russia as Israel continues to dismantle Tehran’s military and nuclear command. The deputy chief of staff to supreme leader Ali Khamenei, Ali Asghar Hejazi, is negotiating with Russian officials to secure an escape route for himself and his family, according to Iran International.
A senior Russian official has allegedly promised a safe evacuation for Hejazi should the situation worsen for Iran’s ruling elite. The outlet also reports that other high-ranking Iranian leaders are preparing similar contingency plans, with some already finalizing their exits.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed these reports in a Saturday video statement. “We have indications that senior leaders in Iran are already packing their bags. They sense what’s coming,” he said.
The panic among Iran’s leadership follows Israel’s wide-reaching offensive early Friday. In the span of hours, Israeli forces struck hundreds of military and nuclear targets. The Israel Defense Forces confirmed the elimination of six senior Iranian nuclear scientists and more than 20 top military commanders, including IRGC chief Hossein Salami and armed forces head Mohammad Bagheri.
President Donald Trump previously warned Iran to make a nuclear deal within 60 days. Israel’s offensive came exactly 61 days later. Trump has since added, “make a deal while they have something left.”
