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Israel does not rule out Khamenei as a possible target: contacts with Moscow to evacuate Iranian leaders

According to Iran International, officials close to the Supreme Leader are in talks with Russia to flee in case of escalation. Khamenei has already been transferred to a bunker in Tehran

Israel has not ruled out any targets among the leaders of the Islamic Republic in its raids against Iran. Even Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, according to Israeli sources, “is not off limits”. In this scenario, confidential contacts between some Iranian officials and Russia are emerging to organise a possible escape.

According to Iran International, a TV station close to the opposition, Ali Asghar Hejazi, Khamenei’s deputy chief of staff, was contacted by a senior Russian official to guarantee him a safe evacuation route for himself and his family. Similar offers have reportedly been made to other members of the Iranian establishment, some of whom are already making concrete plans for an exit route.

In a video message in English addressed to US President Donald Trump, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that Iranian leaders are “packing their bags” because of the air raids.

Another diplomatic source, also cited by Iran International, revealed that Israel could have targeted Khamenei on the first night of the conflict, but chose to spare his life in order to give him one last chance to halt the uranium enrichment programme.

According to sources inside Iran, a few hours after the Israeli attacks began, Khamenei was reportedly transferred to an underground bunker in Lavizan, in the north-eastern part of Tehran, along with all members of his family, including his son Mojtaba.

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