The disappearance of Iran’s top military commander, Brigadier General Esmail Qaani, has sparked rumours that he may be the traitor responsible for Israel’s successful targeting of high-profile enemies.
Qaani, 67 years old has not been heard from his family – since an October 4 strike on a bunker in Beirut where it was speculated that he must be meeting Hezbollah’s top brass. However, as per the sources’ report, he was interrogated while under house arrest. He was also under suspicion as Israel’s top spy.
According to a report by the Sun, it was initially believed that Esmail Qaani, along with Hezbollah heir Hashem Safieddine, died in a recent bunker explosion. However, sources from Lebanon, Iraq, and Iran later confirmed that Qaani was not present at the meeting and had also avoided an earlier strike targeting Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah.
Qaani’s Command Over Quds Force
His sudden disappearance has caused widespread concern within Iran’s military, fueling rumors that he may have betrayed the regime. Despite these speculations, the Iranian government confirmed that Qaani, who leads the Quds Force, is “alive and in good health.”
Qaani is also under investigation in connection with the death of Nasrallah on September 27, which prompted a search for an Israeli informant within the ranks of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard. Multiple reports indicate that he and his team are now under lockdown as interrogations continue. Qaani took command of the Quds Force after Qassem Soleimani’s assassination by the U.S. in January 2020.
Israel’s intelligence-driven strikes have eliminated numerous enemy commanders, including Safieddine, who was reportedly killed at a Hezbollah Shura Council meeting that Qaani was supposed to attend.
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After initially being presumed dead, it was revealed that Qaani had pulled out of the meeting just before Israeli airstrikes destroyed the area. According to Iraj Masjedi, Quds Force deputy commander, Qaani is currently “in good health and fulfilling his duties.”
The commander of an armed faction, who is close to Iran stated, “The Iranians have serious suspicions that the Israelis have infiltrated the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, especially those working in the Lebanese arena, so everyone is currently under investigation. Nothing is certain at the moment. The investigations are still ongoing and all possibilities are open.”