‘They sense what’s coming,’ Netanyahu says
Iranian supreme leader Ali Khamenei’s senior officials are reportedly in talks to secure asylum in Russia, as the Islamic Republic reels from Israeli strikes on its nuclear and military infrastructure.
Ali Asghar Hejazi, Khamenei’s deputy chief of staff and longtime security adviser, is negotiating with Russian officials to arrange an evacuation for himself and his family, Iran International reported. A senior Russian official has reportedly assured Hejazi that Moscow will provide a secure exit for him should the situation deteriorate for the regime.
Other top Iranian officials are pursuing similar plans, with some already finalizing exit routes, according to Iran International.
Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu echoed the report in a video statement Saturday, saying, “We have indications that senior leaders in Iran are already packing their bags. They sense what’s coming.”
Since hostilities broke out early Friday morning, Israel has struck hundreds of targets across Iran, hitting Tehran’s nuclear facilities and military infrastructure. The Israel Defense Forces eliminated 6 top Iranian nuclear scientists and more than 20 senior military leaders, including Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps commander in chief Hossein Salami and Iranian Armed Forces chief of staff Mohammad Bagheri.
Israel’s Friday morning offensive came 61 days after President Donald Trump warned Iranian leaders to make a nuclear deal within 60 days or face consequences. Trump has since urged the Iranians to “make a deal while they have something left.”