EsmaiI Qaani: New ‘shadow commander’ of Iran’s Quds Force
4 years, 11 months ago

EsmaiI Qaani: New ‘shadow commander’ of Iran’s Quds Force

Al Jazeera  

Esmail Qaani is likely to pursue his predecessor’s policies with ‘greater vigour and ruthlessness’, say experts. Under Soleimani, dubbed Iran’s “shadow commander” by some media, the Quds Force helped boost Iranian influence across the Middle East by building up a vast network of proxies. ‘Loyal, committed’ Khamenei, announcing Qaani’s appointment on January 3, said the Quds Force’s new chief was “among the most prominent IRGC commanders” during the 1980-1988 war between Iran and Iraq, adding that the unit under the veteran soldier will follow an “identical” strategy to that pursued by Soleimani. In 2012, the US sanctioned Qaani, citing his role in financial disbursements to Quds Force’s “elements in Africa” and other “terrorist groups”. Pointing out that in addition to intelligence leaks, Soleimani’s celebrity status may have contributed to his assassination, Behravesh said Qaani is expected to be Iran’s real “shadow commander”.

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History of this topic

Commander of Iran's Quds Force is 'in good health', force's deputy commander says
3 months ago

Commander of Iran's Quds Force is 'in good health', force's deputy commander says

The Hindu  

The top commander of Iran's Quds Force, Esmail Qaani, is in "good health", the force's deputy commander Iraj Masjedi said on Monday, after two Iranian security sources told Reuters he had been out of contact since strikes on Beirut last week. The Iranian Students' News Agency reported that a message from Mr. Qaani was conveyed to a conference in solidarity …

Commander of Iran’s elite Quds Force is expanding predecessor’s vision of chaos in the Middle East
10 months ago

Commander of Iran’s elite Quds Force is expanding predecessor’s vision of chaos in the Middle East

New Indian Express  

Javed Ali, University of Michigan Most Americans have likely never heard of Esmail Ghaani, despite his fingerprints being over a slew of recent attacks on US targets. As the powerful chief of the Quds Force, the unconventional warfare wing of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, Ghaani is charged with overseeing Tehran’s network of allied and proxy groups across the Middle …

Esmail Qaani | Commander of the ‘Axis’
11 months, 1 week ago

Esmail Qaani | Commander of the ‘Axis’

The Hindu  

When Esmail Qaani was chosen to lead the Quds Force, an elite wing of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, in January 2020, immediately after Qassem Soleimani was assassinated by the U.S. outside the Baghdad airport, many doubted whether the veteran would be able to fill the very large shoes of the ‘Shadow Commander’. The gist Born in 1957 in the …

Iran’s Quds Force should stay on US ‘terrorist’ list: Top general
2 years, 9 months ago

Iran’s Quds Force should stay on US ‘terrorist’ list: Top general

Al Jazeera  

General Mark Milley tells lawmakers it is his ‘personal opinion’ that the IRGC’s Quds Force should not be delisted. The United States’ top general has said he does not support removing Iran’s elite Quds Force from Washington’s list of “foreign terrorist organizations”, an apparent key demand from Tehran to revive the multilateral nuclear deal. Speaking to the Senate Armed Services …

A year without Soleimani: Will Iran retreat regionally?
4 years ago

A year without Soleimani: Will Iran retreat regionally?

Al Jazeera  

The assassination of Qassem Soleimani was one of several major setbacks for Iran in 2020. The year began with the assassination of Qassem Soleimani, the commander of the Quds Force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and architect of Iran’s regional power projection. In accordance with Soleimani’s will, Esmail Qaani, who was largely unknown to people inside and outside Iran, …

Iran’s new Quds leader vows ‘manly’ revenge for Soleimani killing
4 years, 11 months ago

Iran’s new Quds leader vows ‘manly’ revenge for Soleimani killing

Al Jazeera  

Esmail Qaani says the US killed his predecessor ‘in a cowardly way’ as he promised to hit back ‘in a manly fashion’. The newly appointed commander of Iran‘s elite Quds Force said the United States killed his predecessor, Qassem Soleimani, “in a cowardly way” and promised to “hit his enemy in a manly fashion”. Khamenei, while announcing Qaani’s appointment on …

Iran general steps out of Soleimani’s shadow to lead proxies
5 years ago

Iran general steps out of Soleimani’s shadow to lead proxies

Associated Press  

TEHRAN, Iran — A new Iranian general has stepped out of the shadows to lead the country’s expeditionary Quds Force, becoming responsible for Tehran’s proxies across the Mideast as the Islamic Republic threatens the U.S. with “harsh revenge” for killing its previous head, Qassem Soleimani. “We are children of war,” Ghaani once said of his relationship with Soleimani, according to …

Admired and reviled: How Soleimani was seen in the Middle East
5 years ago

Admired and reviled: How Soleimani was seen in the Middle East

Al Jazeera  

Experts say killing of Soleimani, a ‘strategist’ but ‘unpopular’ among many, will not affect how Quds Force functions. As head of the elite force for more than 20 years, Soleimani was a powerful figure in Iran’s strategic objective of defending its interests and expanding its influence across the Middle East. The Quds Force is the external branch of Iran’s Islamic …

Who Is Qassem Soleimani, And Why Is His Death So Alarming?
5 years ago

Who Is Qassem Soleimani, And Why Is His Death So Alarming?

Huff Post  

LOADING ERROR LOADING The Pentagon confirmed Thursday night that the U.S. was responsible for killing one of the most powerful military figures in Iran and across the Middle East. Soleimani was the head of Iran’s Quds Force, an elite unit within the country’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps that carries out high-level foreign operations across the Middle East and trains Shiite …

Who Is Esmail Ghaani? The New Commander Replacing Iran's Slain General Qassem Soleimani
5 years ago

Who Is Esmail Ghaani? The New Commander Replacing Iran's Slain General Qassem Soleimani

ABP News  

Esmail Ghaani was appointed Deputy Commander of the Quds Force in 1997 by IRGC Chief Commander Rahim Safavi, along with Qassem Soleimani as Chief Commander. like Trump and know how to fight against America.” Ayatollah Ali Khamenei described Ghaani as "one of the most distinguished Revolutionary Guard commanders," according to Radio Farda. Tehran : Hours after Iranian Major General Qassem …

Hours after Qasem Soleimani’s death, Iran appoints Esmail Qaani as new Quds force chief
5 years ago

Hours after Qasem Soleimani’s death, Iran appoints Esmail Qaani as new Quds force chief

India TV News  

Iran's supreme leader appointed Esmail Qaani as the new head of the Revolutionary Guards' foreign operations arm after its commander, Qasem Soleimani, was killed on Friday in a US strike on Baghdad airport. “Following the martyrdom of the glorious general haj Qasem Soleimani, I name Brigadier General Esmail Qaani as the commander of the Quds Force of the Islamic Revolutionary …

Analysis | The importance of Qasem Soleimani
5 years ago

Analysis | The importance of Qasem Soleimani

The Hindu  

Major General Qasem Soleimani, the commander of Iran’s Quds Force who was killed in a U.S. air strike in Baghdad on Friday, had an illustrious career as a spymaster and military strategist and a celebratory status in Iran. Always a defender of the Islamic revolution, Soleimani reported directly to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and, of late, was the main …

Who was General Qasem Soleimani and why was he so popular?
5 years ago

Who was General Qasem Soleimani and why was he so popular?

The Hindu  

Revolutionary Guards commander Qasem Soleimani, who was killed Friday in a U.S. strike, was one of the most popular figures in Iran and seen as a deadly adversary by America and its allies. To his fans and enemies alike, Soleimani was the key architect of Iran's regional influence, leading the fight against jihadist forces and extending Iran's diplomatic heft in …

Who was Qassem Soleimani, Iran’s IRGC’s Quds Force leader?
5 years ago

Who was Qassem Soleimani, Iran’s IRGC’s Quds Force leader?

Al Jazeera  

General Qassem Soleimani was killed alongside six others following a US air raid at Baghdad’s international airport. General Qassem Soleimani, the head of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ Quds Force has been killed early on Friday alongside several others following a US air raid at Baghdad’s international airport. Soleimani acquired celebrity status at home and abroad as leader of the …

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