Mojtaba Khamenei's whereabouts speculated as Russian Tu‑214PU flies to Beijing

A Russian Tu‑214PU aircraft, noted for its stealth and defensive capabilities, departed Moscow, landed in Tehran and then continued to Beijing. Observers have linked the flight to the possible relocation of Mojtaba Khamenei, son of Iran’s late Supreme Leader, for medical treatment or security reasons. The speculation intensified after former U.S. President Donald Trump claimed on Fox News that Mojtaba Khamenei was “90% gone” following U.S.–Israeli strikes that also killed his father, and announced a renewed blockade of Iranian shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.

The flight path and Trump’s remarks have heightened concerns about Iran’s succession dynamics and the broader U.S.–Iran standoff, while underscoring China’s role as a potential sanctuary for Iranian officials amid heightened tensions with the West.