UK MP says Russian cargo planes landing in Iran, gold leaving country

British lawmaker Tom Tugendhat said there were reports of Russian cargo aircraft landing in Tehran and large amounts of gold leaving Iran, asking whether this suggested the Iranian leadership was preparing for life after a possible fall.

“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 told parliament. He asked whether the government could update lawmakers on reports that “suggest that the regime itself is preparing for life after the fall.”

Responding, 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 reports, but said Britain believed freedom of assembly and the right to protest were “inalienable rights of the Iranian people” and should be respected by the Iranian government.