Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei eyeing 'escape plan' after deadly protests hit new heights, with more than 2,300 people detained
With buildings on fire, cars overturned and cries of 'death to the dictator' in the streets, the country's Supreme Leader was said to be making plans to leave.
By MARK NICOL, DEFENCE EDITOR and NATALIE LISBONA - MIDDLE EAST CORRESPONDENT
Published: 00:21 GMT, 10 January 2026 | Updated: 08:59 GMT, 11 January 2026
Iran's religious dictatorship was under huge pressure last night amid protests across the nation and an internet blackout.
With buildings on fire, cars overturned and cries of 'death to the dictator' in the streets, the country's Supreme Leader was said to be making plans to leave.
According to Donald Trump, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was 'looking to go some place', with Moscow mooted as a possible sanctuary.
Desperate to salvage their cruel regime, Iran's clerics last night cut off the country's 90 million citizens from the world, even resorting to military technology to block Elon Musk's Starlink service.
With internet access reduced to 1 per cent connectivity, phone lines cut and payment systems shut down, protests spread to 31 provinces.
The death toll since the uprising began a fortnight ago rose to 62 yesterday, with more than 2,300 detained, according to human rights activists.
Heroic protesters who spoke to the Daily Mail said they had 'nothing to lose' due to living conditions in the country after 50 years of religious rule.
Khamenei blamed Mr Trump for triggering the uprising, accusing protesters of 'ruining their own streets' to please the US President.
Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei (pictured). With buildings on fire, cars overturned and cries of 'death to the dictator' in the streets, the Ayatollah was said to be making plans to leave
Iranians on the streets of Tehran. The death toll since the uprising began a fortnight ago rose to 62 yesterday, with more than 2,300 detained, according to human rights activists
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei with Russian President Vladimir Putin in 2022. Iran's Supreme Leader is said to be eyeing Moscow as a possible sanctuary should the Islamic Republic fall
In his first address since the protests began, he told state TV: 'Trump's hands are stained with the blood of Iranians. This man said he ordered it and commanded it. So he confessed that his hands are stained with Iranian blood.'
Khamenei said the regime would not tolerate 'vandals and rioters' acting as 'mercenaries for foreigners'. Mr Trump has repeatedly threatened to launch military action against the Tehran government should protesters be killed.