UK LAWMAKER CITES REPORTS ON RUSSIAN FLIGHTS TO IRAN, GOLD AIRLIFT:
British lawmaker Tom Tugendhat told parliament on Thursday that there were reports of Russian cargo aircraft landing in Tehran and quantities of gold leaving the country.
“We’re also seeing Russian cargo aircraft coming and landing in Tehran, presumably carrying weapons and ammunition, and we’re hearing reports of large amounts of gold leaving Iran,” Tugendhat said. It was unclear what reports he was referencing.
Anti-government protests have gripped Iran since Dec. 28 in one of the biggest challenges yet to the near 50-year rule of the Islamic Republic.
US-based rights group HRANA reported that 34 protestors and 2 members of the security forces have been killed.
Tugendhat asked the government to comment on the information that he said could indicate preparations “for life after the fall.”
Responding to the remarks, UK Minister for the Middle East and North Africa Hamish Falconer said he was “not in a position to give a detailed update” on the assertions.
Britain, Hamish added, believed freedom of assembly and the right to protest were “inalienable rights of the Iranian people” and should be respected by the Iranian authorities.
Tugendhat had earlier suggested senior figures in Iran’s government may already be reaching out to foreign intelligence services and trading secrets in search of protection if the government falls.
Exit question: Iran on the brink? Danielle Pletka of AEI is “Talking through the options.” “It tickles me to think that if the regime does collapse, it all began on October 7, 2023. Cosmic justice….”
UPDATE:
🔴 NOW, PLEASE SHARE:
Tehran is out tonight, confirmed. This is Zafaraniyeh right now, through Starlink. Huge crowds.
WATCHING THIS FOOTAGE IS ONLY POSSIBLE THANKS TO ELON MUSK.
— 𝐍𝐢𝐨𝐡 𝐁𝐞𝐫𝐠 ♛ ✡︎ (@NiohBerg) January 9, 2026