There has been no news regarding the whereabouts of Major General Esmail Qaani, commander of the Quds Force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), in recent days.
Qaani was notably absent from a ceremony where IRGC Air Force Commander Amir Ali Hajizadeh received a medal for striking Israel last week. He was also missing from Friday prayers led by Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
The last confirmed sighting of Qaani was on September 29 at Hezbollah’s office in Tehran. Since then, despite the reports that “war is inevitable,” Iranian officials are silent about the absence of country’s most prominent military figures with only Israeli, Arab, and Western media providing scattered reports.
Last Seen in Beirut
According to The Times of Israel and The Jerusalem Post, Qaani was last seen in Lebanon’s southern suburbs of Beirut, an area targeted by Israeli airstrikes last week.
On October 6, Reuters, citing two senior Iranian security officials, reported that Qaani had gone missing following the Israeli strikes on Beirut’s southern suburbs on October 4. The report confirmed that Qaani had traveled to Lebanon after the death of Hezbollah leader, Hassan Nasrallah. One of the officials mentioned that Qaani was in southern suburbs during the heavy airstrikes targeting senior Hezbollah official Hashem Safieddine, although he was not meeting him then.
Israel’s intense bombing in Beirut’s southern suburbs was to eliminate Hashem Safieddine, potential successor to the slain Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah.
Hezbollah has reportedly been unable to contact Qaani. Mahmoud Qomati, a member of Hezbollah’s Political Council, said, “I have no information. We are also investigating the truth of this matter.”
Meanwhile, Israeli military spokesperson Nadav Shoshani responded to speculation that Qaani may have been killed, saying that the results of the attack are still being assessed. Israel’s Channel 12 also reported that the possibility of Qaani being injured in a bomb explosion is under investigation.
Iranian Silence and Denials
The Iranian government has remained silent regarding Esmail Qaani's disappearance. Neither the IRGC nor the General Staff of the Armed Forces has commented on his whereabouts.
However, some Iranian sources have attempted to dispel rumors. Mohammad Mehdi Hemmat, the son of a martyr from the Iran-Iraq war, posted on X , “Our dear Haji Esmail Qaani is in perfect health. Don’t fall for the enemy’s media games, which only show their weakness.”
Media outlets close to the IRGC also shared a social media post from Qaani’s nephew, asserting that he is alive.
Old reports from Mehr News Agency and IRIB, titled “Denial of Esmail Qaani’s Martyrdom,” were republished on social media on October 5 and 6, though these reports were outdated.
Additionally, Hamshahri Online stated that the Parliament News Agency, citing a member of the Parliament’s Security Commission, confirmed Qaani’s well-being. However, the Parliament News Agency later denied interviewing Abbas Golrou, the member in question.
Who is Esmail Qaani, The Missing Commander?
Esmail Qaani was appointed as the commander of the Quds Force following the assassination of his predecessor, Qasem Soleimani. Websites affiliated with the IRGC posted "Qaani is the same as Qasem Soleimani," followed by religious leaders hailing him during Friday prayers that "Qaani is another Soleimani."
Qaani joined IRGC in 1980 and began his official duties in Mashhad, his birthplace, after completing his training in Tehran in 1981.
During the Iran-Iraq war, Qaani held various positions within the IRGC. By 1987, he was the commander of the Imam Reza Brigade, and later led the 5th Nasr Division.
According to Tasnim News Agency, Qaani met Qasem Soleimani in 1982 during meetings in war zones. This connection helped him join the Quds Force. From 2006-2007, he served as the Deputy of Intelligence and Deputy of Protective Intelligence in the IRGC’s Joint Staff. He was then appointed deputy commander of the Quds Force.
Despite his long tenure in Quds Force, Esmail Qaani struggled to match Qasem Soleimani’s influence. Throughout his command, he remained an obscure figure, often referred to as "a man in the shadows." Keeping away from media campaigns around the wars in Iraq and Syria. Qaani focused on eastern countries like Afghanistan and Pakistan, playing a key role in forming militias like Fatemiyoun.
Qaani’s public image remained eclipsed by the Soleimani's legacy. Hezbollah's Secretary-General once remarked that Qaani "needs time" and should not be expected to perform too much too soon. The extensive propaganda, including legendary stories, books, films, and countless public events left little room for Qaani to build his mark.
One of Qaani’s rare public comments came in December 2022 regarding women without hijabs. He said "You gathered all your energy from all over the world. This is in northern Tehran; you won’t see a single honorable woman who is without a hijab. Shame on you for not understanding, you are the most dishonorable people."
For days, there has been no news of the general, whose low public profile left no lasting impression on most Iranians. His disappearance, however, has sparked jokes and speculation on social media.
Interested in writing for IranWire?
Share your stories.
comments