Over the past week, there has been speculation regarding the absence of Iran's elite Quds Force commander, Esmail Qaani, from public events. Rumors suggested that he may have been killed in an Israeli airstrike in Lebanon. However, Iranian officials and state media have moved quickly to dispel these rumors.
Deputy commander for the Quds Force, Iraj Masjedi, reassured the public that General Qaani is healthy and active, contrary to the speculation circulating. Qaani's absence from recent events, including a conference for Palestinian children and a ceremony held by Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, has raised questions about his whereabouts.
Reports indicate that Qaani traveled to Lebanon following the assassination of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah by Israel. However, his exact location and activities remain unclear. Iranian security sources mentioned that Qaani was in Beirut's southern suburbs during a strike targeting a potential successor to Nasrallah, Hashem Safieddine.
Qaani took over as the commander of the Quds Force after the killing of Qassem Soleimani by the United States in 2020. He plays a significant role in Iran's paramilitary operations across the Middle East and is subject to sanctions by the US, the UK, and other Western nations.
The situation surrounding General Qaani's absence continues to evolve, with conflicting reports and limited official statements. As the speculation persists, observers are closely monitoring developments to ascertain the true status of one of Iran's key military figures.
