Iranian regime in 'survival mode' amid protests, threat of strikes: NYT

The Iranian leadership is said to be in "survival mode," currently facing a dual internal and external challenge — a new protest movement and the threat of Israeli and American strikes, according to the New York Times.

These challenges have been compounded by Saturday's U.S. attack on Venezuela, an ally of Iran, and the capture of its leader, Nicolas Maduro.

This information reportedly comes from a private meeting last Thursday between Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and leaders of government-affiliated media outlets.

During this meeting, Araghchi described the twofold crisis as a "battle for the survival of the Islamic Republic's power," according to two sources cited by the NYT.

Protests have rocked Iran for more than a week. Initially sparked by hyperinflation and economic issues, this protest movement has taken a political turn, with demonstrators in recent days demanding the end of the religious regime, chanting such slogans as "Death to Khamenei" and "Freedom, freedom."

Although these protests have not reached the scale of the previous two major uprisings — the 2022 "Women, Life, Freedom" movement and the 2019 protests triggered by rising fuel prices — they have unsettled top officials and prompted quick responses from the United States and Israel.

The regime appears deadlocked on both fronts, with no clear strategy to reverse the economic collapse fueling the protests, nor any sign that Iranian leaders are prepared to make meaningful concessions on their nuclear program to satisfy Israel and the United States and avert the risk of another wave of strikes, the American outlet observes.

Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Khamenei, is reportedly preparing to flee to Moscow if unrest in Iran intensifies and if security forces fail to suppress the protests or defect, according to an intelligence report this time shared by the British daily The Times.

During previous large-scale protest movements, there was no mention of Ayatollah Khamenei's flight.

The supreme leader, 86, is said to be considering leaving Tehran with a small circle of about 20 close associates and family members, including his son and designated heir, Mojtaba, according to an intelligence source cited by The Times.

The contingency plan includes mobilizing assets, overseas properties, and cash to facilitate their safe passage, according to the source.

Khamenei controls a vast network of assets through Setad, one of Iran's most powerful organizations, estimated by Reuters in 2013 to be worth $95 billion and comprising property and businesses under his control.

U.S. President Donald Trump again threatened Sunday to take action against the Iranian regime if it killed "peaceful protesters." Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar and several other government officials have also expressed their support for the protesters in recent days.