The 86-year-old Supreme Leader of Iran, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, plans to flee Tehran accompanied by a close entourage of 20 aides and family members if he sees that the army and security forces stop obeying orders and switch sides to the protesters. This was reported on Sunday, January 5, by the British newspaper The Times, citing British intelligence. "This Plan B is intended for Khamenei and his close circle, including his son and presumed heir Mojtaba," a source told the publication. Former Israeli intelligence officer Benny Sabti, who fled Iran after the Islamic Revolution, believes that the Ayatollah could go to Moscow because "there is no other place for him." The plan is based on the successful escape of Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad to Moscow just before the rebels seized Damascus. ## ## Khamenei's Assets May Reach $95 Billion According to a source from The Times, the escape plan from Tehran includes "gathering assets, real estate abroad, and cash to ensure a safe departure." Khamenei owns an extensive network of assets, some of which are managed by one of Iran's most influential organizations, Setad. This is part of a system of semi-state charitable foundations known for their financial opacity, the newspaper clarifies. According to estimates by Reuters from 2013, Khamenei's total assets, including real estate and companies, amount to $95 billion. Many of his closest aides, including the secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, Ali Larijani, have relatives already living abroad, including in the USA, Canada, and Dubai, The Times adds. ## ## Trump Threatened to Intervene for Protesters in Iran The United States will intervene if Iran shoots at peaceful protesters who are protesting against the dire economic situation and high inflation, U.S. President Donald Trump wrote on January 2 on the social network Truth Social. In turn, the secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, Ali Larijani, accused Israel and the U.S. of inciting protests. "The American people should know that Trump unleashed this adventure," he emphasized on the social network X. "Any intervention aimed at undermining Iran's security under any pretext will lead to retaliatory measures," wrote Ali Shamkhani, Khamenei's advisor on political affairs, on the social network X. "Iran's security is a red line," he added. ## Protests in Iran Continue for Nine Days Demonstrations in Iran began on December 28. On that day, shop owners in Tehran closed their stores in protest against the worsening economic situation: the Iranian economy is suffering from 40% inflation and Western sanctions. Later, residents of other major cities joined the protests. On December 30, reports emerged of the first clashes between protesters and police, with security forces using tear gas. As noted by the dpa agency, the protests turned political, with some participants chanting slogans such as "Death to the Dictator" and "Long Live the King." The former may refer to Khamenei, while the latter seemingly calls for the restoration of the monarchy led by the Shah. On January 1, the American agency Associated Press reported that at least six people had died during the protests in Iran. The Norway-based organization Iran Human Rights reported on January 4 that 17 people had died. According to its data, at least 500 people have been arrested. The Iranian news agency Mehr reported on the same day that during "clashes" in Malekshahi, one IRGC fighter was killed. All this data has yet to be verified by other independent sources.