Free Republic

Iran’s Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has a back-up plan to flee the country should his security forces fail to suppress protests or desert, according to an intelligence report shared with The Times. Khamenei, 86, plans to escape Tehran with a close circle of up to 20 aides and family, should he see that the army and security called on to quell the unrest are deserting, defecting or failing to follow orders. “The ‘plan B’ is for Khamenei and his very close circle of associates and family, including his son and nominated heir apparent, Mojtaba,” an intelligence source told The Times. Beni...

In a post-nuclear-deal setting, the Iranian consumer market, characterized by a young and innovative population whose consumption habits align with western models, seems hard to resist for western companies. But, it would be detrimental if in striking business deals with Iran, these companies set aside all caution and vigilance. In most cases, they would be dealing with the worst elements of the regime. Consider one of the more recent examples. It is usually the Iranian capital Tehran that hosts high-level foreign delegates. Last month, however, it was the city of Mashhad that played host to a sizeable delegation representing French...