Inter president ‘plots escape route’ for Club World Cup player stranded in Iran as trapped star sends updates ‘every few hours’ amid Israel conflict

Inter Milan‘s striker Mehdi Taremi is in ‘constant contact’ with his club while he is stuck in Iran amid the ongoing conflict with Israel, as his club try to find an exit plan for the star. 

Taremi, 32, was named in Inter’s squad for the Club World Cup in the United States and their first fixture comes on Wednesday against Mexican side Monterrey, but was unable to join up with his side. 

He had flown back to his homeland to accept Iran’s Footballer of the Year award and planned to then jet straight out to Los Angeles to join his club team-mates. 

The frontman was also in Iran to play for the national team in their World Cup qualifiers against Qatar and North Korea, and scored against the latter. 

However, the rapid escalation in the conflict between Israel and Iran saw Israeli missiles and jets bombard nuclear and military facilities, with Tehran targeted.

Inter president Giuseppe Marotta has reportedly been in contact with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Italian ambassador to Tehran, Paola Amadei, in order to try to find a way to extract Taremi. 

Pictured: A damaged building in the Iranian capital, Tehran, following an Israeli attack

Taremi played two World Cup qualifiers for Iran and accepted their Footballer of the Year award

However, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport there is as yet no resolution to the issue of flying Taremi out of Tehran. 

The only solution, the outlet claims, available to the club and player is to leave Iran by land, most likely car, and then join his team from there. 

Yet the Italian giants are thought to have advised Taremi against such a measure due to the high level of risk involved, with the ultimate priority being the safety and welfare of the striker and his family. 

Taremi himself has been in contact with his team-mates in the US on their hunt for the Club World Cup trophy, and is thought to be constantly in touch with team manager Matteo Tagliacarne. 

He reportedly sent them encouragement a couple of hours before their 1-1 draw with Mexican side Monterrey at the Club World Cup on Wednesday.  

Taremi’s family, also in Iran, are not thought to be with him, and Gazzetta’s report claims that he is still in good spirits, and hasn’t lost his ‘humour’ when he talks with his team. 

Most importantly, he is believed to have reassured the rest of the Inter squad and hierarchy that he does not feel in danger, amid conflict between the two nations. 

Taremi remained on the bench during Inter’s Champions League final defeat by PSG but made 43 appearances in all competitions last season, scoring three goals.

Inter, now managed by Christian Chivu Japanese outfit Urawa Red Diamonds and Argentine side River Plate in their Club World Cup group after the draw with Monterrey.