Iran's President 'has fled to Russia' as observers spot mystery plane land in Moscow

Vladimir Putin and Masoud Pezeshkian (Image: GETTY)

Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian may have fled to Russia, according to unverified claims from observers, following the landing of a mysterious government aircraft in Moscow amid fears of imminent US military strikes on Iran's leadership. Flight-tracking data revealed that an Airbus A321, operated by Iran's Meraj Airlines under the callsign IRAN07, departed Tehran on Tuesday evening and touched down at Moscow's Vnukovo Airport after a direct 3-hour, 38-minute flight covering approximately 1,528 miles.

The plane, officially listed as belonging to the Iranian government and frequently used for transporting senior officials on sensitive missions, quickly became the world's most-tracked aircraft on FlightRadar24, with up to 18,000 users monitoring its path across southern Russia. Speculation exploded on Telegram and social media, where several Russian and pro-Kremlin channels asserted—without evidence—that President Pezeshkian was aboard, potentially seeking refuge or urgent consultations with the regime of ally Vladimir Putin as tensions escalate.

Flight tracking data shows the plane's journey (Image: NC)

Larijani recently blamed Iran's widespread protests on foreign-orchestrated ‘quasi-terrorist’ groups.

There is no indication that Khamenei himself is involved or abroad, despite suspicions he could be a US target.

The arrival at Vnukovo—an airport often reserved for VIP and foreign government flights—coincides with online reports of potential American targeted strikes on Iranian security structures, senior figures, or suspected nuclear sites.

Russian outlet Mash, known for ties to security services, shared screenshots of the aircraft's route, while other reports noted a secondary callsign RSJ7136 linked to a Russian business aviation operator.