Esmail Qaani, the commander of Iran’s Quds Force, travelled to Lebanon after Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah was killed in an Israeli airstrike last month. Since then, he has not been heard from, sparking claims he might be an agent of Mossad, Israel’s intelligence agency, which has recently been credited with successful operations.
An official revealed that Qaani was in Beirut’s southern suburbs, Dahiyeh, when a strike targeted senior Hezbollah official Hashem Safieddine. However, Qaani was not meeting Safieddine at that time.
Sources suggest Qaani is under house arrest and being interrogated on suspicion of espionage for Israel.
Iranian Sources are now claiming that Brigadier General Esmail Qaani, the Commander of the Quds Force under the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRCG), was not Killed by an Israeli Airstrike in Beirut and is Alive in Tehran; though he has reportedly been placed on House Arrest… pic.twitter.com/7fmFPLok6m
— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) October 10, 2024
Who is Esmail Qaani? Explained in 5 points
1. Role and Appointment: Esmail Qaani became the head of the Revolutionary Guards’ Quds Force after Qassem Soleimani’s assassination by the US in 2020. He manages Tehran’s paramilitary allies in the Middle East and worldwide.
2. Comparison with Soleimani: Unlike Soleimani, who commanded significant respect and maintained close ties with Iran’s regional allies, Qaani has not matched that level of influence or authority, according to military analysts and people familiar with both leaders.
3. Challenges under Leadership: Under Qaani’s leadership, Iranian proxies like Hezbollah and Iraqi militias have faced increased pressure from Israeli forces, contrasting with the expansion of their influence under Soleimani.
4. Background: Born in Mashhad, Iran, Qaani has a history with the Revolutionary Guards, having fought in the Iran-Iraq war. He became deputy commander of the Quds Force in 1997 and has experience in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Unlike Soleimani, Qaani does not speak Arabic fluently.
5. Leadership Style: Qaani prefers a discreet approach, conducting private meetings and maintaining a lower profile, unlike his predecessor, often seen on battlefields.
What Other Media Are Saying
- Iran International reports on the mysterious absence of IRGC general Esmail Qaani, fueling speculation about his possible death or injury in Israeli air strikes, despite official denials of his whereabouts.(read more)
- Economictimes reports Esmail Qaani, Iran’s Quds Force commander, missing after Israeli strikes in Beirut, fuelling speculation over his fate and Iran’s military capabilities.(read more)
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions asked about this news
Who is Esmail Qaani?
Esmail Qaani is the head of Iran’s Quds Force, appointed after Qassem Soleimani’s assassination in 2020.
Why is Esmail Qaani under house arrest?
Esmail Qaani is reportedly under house arrest and being interrogated on suspicion of espionage for Israel.
How does Qaani’s leadership compare to Soleimani’s?
Qaani lacks the influence and respect Soleimani commanded, facing increased pressure from Israeli forces.
What is Qaani’s background?
Born in Mashhad, Iran, Qaani fought in the Iran-Iraq war and was deputy commander of the Quds Force since 1997.
What is Qaani’s leadership style?
Qaani prefers a discreet approach, conducting private meetings and maintaining a lower profile compared to Soleimani.