Ayatollah Khamenei's Jet Checked, Iran Supreme Leader May Flee To Russia If Necessary

[Barack_America]

Source: Huffington Post

Iran Supreme Leader Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Khamenei could flee to Russia should the situation in his country continue to spiral out of control, according to Radio Netherlands.

The media organization reports that the Supreme National Security Council ordered a check-up Sunday of the jet on standby to evacuate Khamenei and his family should the need arise.

If Khamenei does depart the country, it would be reminiscent of an historic event in Iranian history: Jan. 16, 1979, when the Iranian Shah Mohammed Reza Pahlevi fled Iran following an increase in violent protests. The anniversary of that event is coming up soon.

The plane check is already being viewed by some as an indication that Khamenei will in fact leave Iran, as protests continue.

This is a developing story.

Read more: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/12/29/ayatollah-khamenei-jet-ch_n_406496.html

---

This is all based on the following story from Radio Netherlands

Reports from Iran indicate that the Supreme National Security Council has ordered a complete check-up of the jet which is on standby to fly Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Khamenei and his family to Russia should the situation in Iran spiral out of control. The order, to the Pasdaran Revolutionary Guard Corps, was dated on Sunday, 27 December. A fax containing the order was sent to Dutch-based Shahrzad News.


In Iran, tens of thousands of pro-government supporters took to the streets on Tuesday, calling for leaders of the opposition to be punished. They say the opposition is to blame for the protests during the Shiite festival of Ashura in which eight people are reported to have been killed by riot police.

Opposition supporters launched the demonstrations following the death of Ayatollah Hossein Ali Montazeri a critic of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. The protests were crushed by the authorities and the opposition is now calling for the government to apologise for the excessive violence used by the police...

More:
http://www.rnw.nl/english/article/iran-has-plane-ready-take-leader-safety


Been waiting all day for another media outlet to pick this up so I could post it. Very interesting if true, but still speculation at this point, based on the single source.

LATE EDIT:

The document can be viewed at the following site:
http://planet-iran.com/index.php/news/5943

Any Farsi speakers on DU?

[tsuki]

1. K&R.

Thanks. Between sifting through the "news" of turdblossom's divorce and the Palin-Johnston custody battle, I missed this. I have been trying to follow.

[Barack_America]

4. Well, we'll see what comes of this.

It could be real or it could easily be a hoax. And it's not the sort of thing you could call up Press TV and get a confirmation of.

Regardless, the situation in Iran does seem to be escalating very quickly.

[roguevalley]

78. I hope the old bastard and his billions get out. let that country have a

chance.

[ribrepin]

22. turdblossom is getting divorce....Do tell

I've been out of the loop

[Myrina]

35. Scan the last 36 hours' DU pages ...

... there are a few threads on it.

[ribrepin]

65. I don't check in much @ DU anymore

I had missed the excitement. Guess the old lady finally wised up.

[struggle4progress]

2. U.S. can best advance Iranian justice from the sidelines (Editorial Board St Louis Trib)

It’s easy to forget that the fall of Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, the Shah of Iran, came as a shock to much of the world. It’s worth remembering that now, as another revolution is underway ...

The idea that an Islamic street uprising — led remotely by the messianic Ayatollah Ruhollah Mousavi Khomeini, who had lived in exile since 1964 — could succeed against so modern and totalitarian a state bordered on the preposterous ...

Thirty years later, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei — the man who succeeded Ayatollah Khomeini in 1989 — is embattled in ways strikingly similar to the last Shah. He has absolute power and rules with an iron fist ...

The United States was powerless to prop up the Shah 30 years ago. Our support of his regime actually helped to galvanize the revolution. For the same reasons, our efforts now to hasten the fall of Ayatollah Khamenei would prove not just impotent but counterproductive, strengthening the regime’s hand, uniting the nation against us rather than the ruling clerics ...

http://www.stltoday.com/blogzone/the-platform/published-editorials/2009/12/us-can-best-advance-iranian-justice-from-the-sidelines/

[struggle4progress]

3. Iran confirms arrest of Dubai TV journalist

Iran has confirmed that the Dubai TV journalist who went missing during violent clashes in Tehran between anti-government protesters and police on Sunday has been arrested.

"No one is missing ... a person has been arrested and if the ministry of culture confirms that he had permission to work then he will be freed," Abbas Jafari Doulatabadi, the Tehran prosecutor, told the Iranian Mehr news agency, quoted by AFP.

Reda al-Basha, a 27-year-old Syrian national, has been working for the channel in Iran for a year, colleagues told AFP.

http://www.arabianbusiness.com/577430-iran-confirms-arrest-of-dubai-tv-journalist-during-riots

[seafan]

5. As we remember Neda.

Ayatollah Khamenei's jet put on standby, 29 December 2009 - 7:46pm , Radio Netherlands Worldwide

Reports from Iran indicate that the Supreme National Security Council has ordered a complete check-up of the jet which is on standby to fly Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Khamenei and his family to Russia should the situation in Iran spiral out of control. The order, to the Pasdaran Revolutionary Guard Corps, was dated on Sunday, 27 December. A fax containing the order was sent to Dutch-based Shahrzad News.

.....

Neda Soltan did not vote in her country's election, but was appalled by the rigging of the result. Since she was shot in a democracy protest, her face has become an opposition symbol LINK

[DeSwiss]

6. From Khomeini the Old Dog....

To Khamenei the Running Dog......................................


- I guess if you stick around long enough you'll see it all.....

K&R

[Barack_America]

7. Please note the late edit...

Including a link showing the document in question.

[Purveyor]

8. What nonsense...indeed! eom

[Barack_America]

9. pardon?

[sce56]

10. One could only hope and wish a new real people style non religous fanatic goverment takes over. n/t

[Old Ed in VN]

29. Non religious gov.

Same for the US.

[Pavulon]

39. See Turkey, Islamic people

non nut case government.

[Arctic Dave]

63. Turkey? Aren't they just the other side of the spectrum when it comes to human rights violations?

Not that would bother us in the slightest as long as they are our lackeys. You seem to have a lot of hand wringing going on about Iran, what about all the other 'stans that are just as hardline and brutal but they allow us to use their land to invade other countries?

[Stinky The Clown]

11. This could become truly momentous news

Let's hope

[Barack_America]

45. That's why I decided to post it, even though the sources are sketchy.

After all, the only confirmation we'll ever get is when Khamenei steps on the plane. This isn't the sort of thing you can call up the Republican Guards and get confirmation on.

So we'll see. Right now I'm leaning towards believing this document is not valid, but with the way the situation has been escalating in Iran, that Khamenei has an escape planned is believable.

This new form of the uprising has already accomplished things the protests in June and July could not; namely a full strike in the shops of several cities and the support of a large number of Ayatollahs. It seems it was a very bad idea to kill civilians on Ashura. The regime seems to have trashed their claim to Islam with that move.

[Stinky The Clown]

49. I agree with you

[ChangoLoa]

52. Thanks for the article!

Things definitely can go a lot faster than we can conceive. Let's hope...

[Warpy]

12. They stepped in it, bigtime

Even the Shah didn't kill people during demonstrations on holy days.

I think we might have just seen the tipping point there.

[Vidar]

13. I hope it comes to pass.

[David Zephyr]

14. Great news! I hope it is true.

Green Revolution.

[Turborama]

15. K&R There's a translation on that site now....

December 29, 2009

Iran Global website has exposed a document that discloses information on Khamenei and various authorities of the regime’s possible escape to Russia.

The document is on the National Security Agency of the Islamic regime’s letterhead addressed from the office of the High Assembly of the Islamic Republic’s National Security official to an individual in the revolutionary guards. The letter is dated 6th of Dey (December 27th).

It reads:

Re: Response to a letter number (redacted) written on the 5th of Dey (December 26th).

Salam Aleykom

With respect, we would like to inform you of the inspection, check up and preparation of the aircraft, destination Russia, for the purpose of transporting the Supreme Leader, his esteemed family and various officials of the Revolutionary Guards. Should the commanding forces lose control, direct your attention to the attached permit, number (redacted) of the National Security Agency and the Bureau of Revolutionary Guard’s Intelligence Security in order for the necessary steps to be taken.

Va al-salam

Office of the high assembly of the Islamic Republic’s national security

Commander, Brigadier-General, Revolutionary Guard

Stamped by Secretary General of the High Assembly of the Islamic Republic’s National Security

Stamped by Dr. Saeed Jalili

CC: (redacted)

Compiled and translated from Persian to English by Planet Iran staff.

[rollin74]

16. I hope the bastard is forced to flee

[Kurska]

17. COWARD, LIAR MURDER FLEE TO RUSSIA.

If they will even take you, scum.

[daleo]

18. Wishful thinking by the U.S. media

I am no fan of the Iranian theocracy, but the American wish that it will suddenly fall apart makes no more sense in 2010 than it did in 1985. Perhaps if the U.S. left this part of the world alone, these wished for events might come to pass. But as long as the U.S. is waging war, or threatening to do so, it is unlikely.

[Turborama]

19. Uhm, this story is coming out of Holland

Not the US.

[Kurska]

20. Probably a CIA/Mossad/Moon man/Dutch co-op project.

Because of course the world can't turn unless it is some sort of American Conspiracy, it isn't like him having to flee might be blowback from all the college students his miltia have shot.

[Turborama]

21. Well

That seems to be the main reaction by Huffington Post readers, I expect we'll see several similar comments after DU's Chicken Littles have had their breakfast.

:rofl: at the Moon man comment!

[yava]

40. this is fabricated

Why would he go to Russia?
First of all, the regime is not under threat from the guys (and actually gals) you see throwing stones on youtube and getting beaten and arrested.
It is threatened by insiders who have support within the armed forces, intelligence services, parliament, clergy etc and who still want an "islamic" republic but with a limit to the power of the top clergy and their Guards.
Before Khamenei would even consider leaving, one would have to see the arrest and possible execution of the "religeous" opposition or the "reformists": Mousavi (ex-Premier of Khomeini), Karroubi (ex-Speaker) and Khatami (ex-President) as well as the powerful ex-President "moderate" Rafsanjani and that has not yet happened.
Today Wednesday Dec 30th, there will be huge pro-gouvernment rallies in Iran where, in part thanks to the closing of schools and busing of gov. employees, there will be millions chanting "Khamenei, the blood in our veins belongs to you, or something like that.
Lets watch the size of the crowds. As long as they can mobilize like this, why should he leave?
And if I my also indulge in a little wishful thinking, if he ever had to leave, he would go to Turkey, South Lebanon (for Hezbulah protection) or to Malaysia and certainly not Russia.
Anyway, a nice dream I would gladly live to see!

[Pavulon]

42. Turkey has ZERO tolerance

for islamic nuts. He would be arrested and deported from there. I hope the people get a government that works for them. Turkey is a great example, muslim nation, with a secular government.

[AlbertCat]

81. Turkey is a great example, muslim nation, with a secular government.

Yeah...it's great to be gay or female there!

And Iraq was a Muslim nation with a secular government.... until we destroyed it.

[daleo]

23. The Huffington Post was the first source cited

So that implies an American spin.

Regardless, the main point stands. The U.S. (and allied western) media has been predicting the downfall of the Iranian regime since the early 80's. In fact, the U.S. government went to great lengths to help Saddam Hussein to defeat the Iranians during the Iraq-Iran war during the 80's. It still hasn't happened, so I put it into the category of U.S. and western wishful thinking.

[Kurska]

24. I'm thinking this is more like the wishful thinking of Iranian people.

Who are sick of being butchered by a regime that has become part aramagedon cult, part mafia and part 1984 like house of horrors. But again, you obviously can't see international society through any spectrum but the American one, so you might not understand the world doesn't revolve around the US or even the Western world.

[daleo]

25. Time will tell

I don't live in Iran, so I don't know how they really feel. I suspect the same is true for you.

I took a grad school course some years back (around 2000) with a fellow from Iran. He had been in the Iraq-Iran war (drafted), then had become a political refugee, spending time in several countries in Europe and North America. He had no use for the Iranian theocracy, the Iraqi regime (Saddam Hussein), Israel, or the U.S.

[Kurska]

27. I've talked to people over there, the rage is very real.

Most of the population over there is under 30, they have completely lost faith in their government, it is only a matter of time before it reforms or crumbles.

[daleo]

28. Perhaps Iran will change

Understand, though, your claim (of talking to people "over there") has no evidence base.

Nonetheless, I bet their government doesn't 'crumble' any time soon. As I say, I have heard this prediction since the Reagan era. Their system might reform. So might ours. Perhaps ours has already. How do you feel about health care reform. Has the U.S. health system reformed?

Words are elastic.

[nyy1998]

51. I could only hope you're right.

This scumbag is screwing over that country. Iran has great potential and this guy and Ahmedijibad(sp) are suffocating it.

[ChangoLoa]

53. I've had the same feedback

The good old "Ahmadi, president of the poor" works no more. Even the clergy's starting to become seriously opposed to Khamenei. Qom demonstrated for the first time two days ago. Big symbol...

[harun]

55. I call BS on this article as well. Clear propaganda.

[stray cat]

79. Can't trust anyone from the Netherlands! All artists of propaganda!

:sarcasm:

[Arrowhead2k1]

26. Even if it's true, it's probably just a precaution.

When the man actually steps on to that airplane, then we'll know. But as of now, I am still unconvinced of the scale of the uprising and its ability to actually take down this ruthless government. Because I feel that if they could, they would have done so already.

[rpannier]

31. And even if he does

that's no guarantee that the government has fallen completely.

Al Jazeera and Al Arabiya have done some interesting stories strongly suggesting that the Revolutionary Guard really runs the government and their primary loyalty is to the President (because he has funneled large amounts of money into the Guard) rather than the Supreme Leader

[Wizard777]

30. The people of Iran seek the truth that Ali Khamenei keeps from them.

For as long as the people search for the truth the Amesha Spenta shall be with them. Ali Khamenei serves the Druj with his deceit. They cannot protect him. When Ali Khamenei can no longer serve the Druj. The Angra Mainyu shall destroy him. When the council of the wise looks into their heart of hearts they shall see the truth of this. Therefore they must remove him.

[Betty Karlson]

32. This is history going in circles.

I wonder how much silent pressure Mr Obama has been applying while everyone was criticising him. - Or how much Mrs Clinton has been doing to make history go the extra mile in this particular circle.

[enid602]

33. Hugo

I´m sure he´ll be welcome in Venezuela, as well.

[RedCloud]

34. His book could be called, "I ran from Iran."

[ChangoLoa]

61. Could be a new product

The I-Ran insurrection alarm device, by Apple.

[Myrina]

36. Well that's nifty. He has Russia as an ally, we're on the other side of the issue.

.... Strained Relations, Part 48, anyone?

[AverageJoe5]

37. Wishful thinking presented as legitimate news

Antagonists of the Iranian regime have tried faking nuclear related documents to undermine the regime; that hasn't worked. Now they are trying to present their wishful thinking (the imminent collapse of the regime) as legitimate news. I can hardly wait to see what they will conjure up next after the inevitable failure of the wishful-thinking-as-news project.

[pjt7]

38. Where wil Obama go?

eom

[jpak]

47. What the fuck is that supposed to mean?

n/t

[Cha]

57. President Obama is staying right here if

you have to jump in and ask.

[Pavulon]

41. If it was the US

i would worry. We have run these little things for decades. They range from soft as a feather to Diem type events. Best of luck to the people and throwing off the yolk of a theocratic government.

[Barack_America]

44. Great! It's DU's new Ahmadi propagandist.

Hey, you never did explain to me why, since you joined DU recently, 95% of your posts defend the Ahmadi regime. I had asked you in a thread last week to perhaps introduce yourself and explain why you seem to be here for the sole purpose of defending Ahmadinejad.

[bemildred]

46. Does sound like bullshit.

Even if it were true, you know they would not be telling us about it.

[Barack_America]

48. The source is a supposedly leaked fax.

Not an official verification from any government source.

Also, just as a heads up, you might take a look at AverageJoe5's post record. He seems to be anything but an "average Joe". I have asked him several times why it appears he came to DU with the primary purpose of defending the Amadinejad regime and I still await an explanation.

[AverageJoe5]

50. Thanks for asking

I don't deliberately try to defend Ahmadinejad. My only interest is the facts and the truth. If the facts and the truth don't support Ahmadinejad's position or pronouncements, I will say so.

[Barack_America]

58. Thanks for the clarification.

I'm sure you won't mind if I continue to critique your position.

[bemildred]

59. I'm not interested in your little dispute.

The story sounds like bullshit. The news is often full of bullshit. To notice that does not mean you are taking sides in the dispute that the bullshit is intended to sway one way or another. I don't care for the people that are running Iran now, but there are dishonest lying people out to get them too.

[Barack_America]

60. My "little dispute"?

What an unnecessarily nasty response to a valid concern regarding the poster's intentions at DU.

If you'll note, I specifically mentioned that this was a once source, speculative story in my OP. I posted it because it's not the sort of thing that could be confirmed and other sources were starting to pick it up.

[bemildred]

64. You tried to drag me into your little argument with AverageJoe5.

I consider that to be a nasty thing for you to do to me. You leave me alone, and I'll leave you alone.

[Barack_America]

66. .

My intention was exactly as I said it, a "heads up". Some people are concerned about trolls on this site, apparently you are not. I apologize.

[bemildred]

74. No problem. nt

[Socal31]

56. Ah, yes.

More wisdom from "Average Joe" on the Persian crisis.

I think people here see what is going on.

[Holy Moly]

43. Fear not, Allah is here

Whots the El Supremo Ayatollah gots ta be
so afeerd of? Don't he gots full faith and credit that his beloved Allah health insurance policy will save his devout holy ass from any unpleasant consequences in his Iran?

Religions,
whots they good fer?
NUTTIN,
CEPTIN FER NUTS!

[RZM]

54. If true this is interesting

For centuries the Tsarist state worked to dominate/destabilize Iran. In 1941 many Iranians greeted the news of Operation Barbarossa with praise and cheering. The USSR also occupied northern Iran during the Second World War and only left in 1946 after much outside pressure and guarantee of an oil concession that the Iranians quickly reneged on. Many mullahs were also fairly anti-Soviet (witness Ayatollah Khomeini's famous 'circular diss' of the US, USSR, and Britain in the 1960s). Of course, I'm sure Chavez would be happy to have him, but fleeing to Latin America might send the wrong message since the Shah had been granted asylum by Panama 1979. The protest movement might grow in strength in 2010, but I doubt it will come to this.

[pleah]

62. Cool!

K&R

[mcablue]

67. You guys realize you're recommending a rumor based on a forged document...do you?

The Huffington Post posted an update which says, " Iranian journalist and media researcher Omid Habibinia tells HuffPost he has doubts about the authenticity of the document that this report evolves around. He says it is fast circulating Facebook but for many reasons he believes the document is forgery, including the fact there are no words below the logo of the Islamic Republic of Iran and no mail is confidential in the Persian month Mehr."

Read it. It's in the same link provided in the OP.

[Ruby the Liberal]

68. Take anything Omidhabi says with a grain of salt.

A Large grain of salt. This guy is the proverbial in-exile-for-over-a-decade-seeking-relevance broken clock.

[Barack_America]

70. You should see the way UPI is reporting it.

http://www.upi.com/Top_News/Special/2009/12/30/Jet-ready-to-fly-Irans-Khamenei-to-Russia/UPI-48951262200777/

Not a mention that this is a singly-sourced, sketchy story, unlike my OP.

[mcablue]

71. UPI doesn't even interview an expert

You don't seem interested in knowing whether the fax is real or fake either.

[Barack_America]

72. From last night.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=102&topic_id=4203469&mesg_id=4203832

[mcablue]

73. Who do you think the person (or persons) faked such document are and why?

And why didn't this faker simply spread an opinion that he/she believed that the existence escape plan was plausible? Why did he/she believe it wasn't enough to express that opinion?

If I believed that say, Obama wants to invade Nicaragua, why would I fake a "fax" (assuming I don't have an agenda) in which Obama and other administration officials discuss the non-existent invasion?

[Barack_America]

75. If the document is faked....

...I suppose whomever faked it did so for the same reason that the regime lied today about Mousavi and Karroubi going into exile, to bolster their supporters and demoralize their opponents.

[KansDem]

69. Do we assume the Russians are securing their embassy in Tehran?

I mean, will they learn from history about our mistake in the 1970s as we haven't learned from history about their mistake in the 1980s?

[roamer65]

76. It will get worse. The military will take over.

...and I suspect the military will start a regional conflict in a last ditch effort to maintain control.

[Barack_America]

77. Well, the Republican Guard has basically already taken over...

...So it may be an improvement if the Army wrests control away from them.

[Prometheus Bound]

80. Who would believe this stuff from anti-Iran propaganda site 'planet-iran'?