Russian Aircraft Frequently Visit Iran: What Plans Does Khamenei Have?

There are indications that Russia might be planning to extract Iran's top religious figure along with his inner circle.

Following the emergence of extensive demonstrations in Iran, which present a threat to the Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s government, there has been an increase in flights to Tehran by Russian military cargo planes.

This information comes from the specialized publication Air Cargo Week.

Russian Il-76TD aircraft, disguised as civilian planes, have been conducting routine flights from Mineralnye Vody to Tehran, passing over the Caucasus and avoiding NATO-controlled airspace.

The publication points out that the repetitive use of the same aircraft, and the evident prioritization of transportation speed and reliability over cost-effectiveness by operators, suggest a focused operation.

“The choice to execute numerous flights in place of a single, larger cargo shipment aligns with the principles of military logistics,” the publication states.

Analysts suggest that Russia may be offering military and technological aid to its key ally in the region, while simultaneously arranging for the evacuation of Iran’s highest leader and his closest associates. It is speculated that Russian military transport aircraft are removing the ayatollah’s wealth from the nation.

The publication mentioned that Russia assisted dictator Bashar Assad in fleeing Syria in a similar manner a little over a year prior.

As a reminder, a surge of protests against the government started in Iran in late December. This was triggered by a severe financial downturn and a rapid depreciation of the local currency.

According to human rights organizations, the breadth of the protests has truly reached a national scale: disturbances have been documented in over 270 locations, spanning 27 out of the country’s 31 provinces.

Iranian demonstrators have seized control of two cities located in the western part of the country, and those opposing the ayatollah’s regime have issued a direct request for assistance to US President Donald Trump.

Ukraine’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has urged Ukrainians to depart from the territory of the Islamic Republic of Iran due to the significant worsening of the security situation in the country.