Iranian Quds Force Commander Esmail Qaani Reported to Be in Good Health Following Beirut Strikes
Iran’s Quds Force commander, Esmail Qaani, is reportedly in good health, according to the force’s deputy commander, Iraj Masjedi. This statement comes after Iranian security sources told Reuters that Qaani had been out of contact following airstrikes on Beirut last week.
Masjedi reassured the public, stating that Qaani is “in good health and carrying out his activities,” adding that there was no need for an official statement despite public concerns. The strikes in question were reported to have targeted senior Hezbollah official Hashem Safieddine, who is anticipated to succeed Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, though Qaani was not involved in any meeting with Safieddine during the attack.
Tensions Rise Between Israel and Hezbollah
The recent strikes are part of Israel’s ongoing campaign against Hezbollah, the Iran-backed Lebanese militant group. Hezbollah has been intensifying cross-border attacks against Israel, and Israeli forces have responded by targeting various Hezbollah strongholds in Dahiyeh, a southern suburb of Beirut.
Qaani, who took over leadership of the Quds Force after the assassination of his predecessor, Qassem Soleimani, in 2020, is responsible for coordinating Iran’s military operations through its proxies across the Middle East, including Hezbollah in Lebanon, Hamas in Gaza, and the Houthi rebels in Yemen.
Escalating Iran-Israel Conflict
The confrontation between Iran and Israel has grown increasingly direct. Iran launched 200 ballistic missiles at Israel in a significant escalation of tensions. This marks Iran’s second direct missile strike on Israel, following an earlier attack in April. While Iran declared the missile strike a “great success,” Israel’s military confirmed that two bases were hit, but none of the Air Force’s operational capabilities were compromised.
Israel has not yet retaliated for the missile attack, but the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have vowed a decisive response, currently evaluating potential targets.
Key Takeaways:
- Esmail Qaani, head of Iran’s Quds Force, is confirmed to be in good health following rumors of his involvement in Beirut airstrikes.
- Israeli strikes are part of the ongoing conflict with Hezbollah, targeting key positions in Lebanon.
- The tension between Israel and Iran is escalating, with Iran launching its second-ever direct missile attack on Israel in recent months.
Source : timesofisrael.com