Continued Ambiguity Surrounding Quds Force Commander; 'Middle East Eye': Qaani Under Interrogation

With ongoing uncertainty regarding Ismail Qaani and various rumors and scenarios about his fate, the website 'Middle East Eye' has reported that Ismail Qaani, the commander of the Quds Force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), has been detained and is under interrogation. The news network 'Sky News Arabia' has also claimed that Ismail Qaani suffered a heart attack during interrogation. Following the Israeli army's attack on Hezbollah's base in the southern suburbs of Beirut on October 12, reports indicate that Ismail Qaani was simultaneously in the Lebanese capital, and although Israeli officials have stated that the Quds Force commander was not the target of that attack, some sources have suggested that he may have been killed. In light of Qaani's disappearance and the Islamic Republic's officials' hesitation to provide a definitive statement regarding his fate, various options have been proposed. Some observers have suggested that he may have been detained by the IRGC's intelligence due to Mossad's infiltration at high levels of the IRGC; meanwhile, others have raised the possibility of the Quds Force commander's death, and some have speculated that Qaani might be in Israel. In this context, a group of observers also argues that the Islamic Republic has deliberately concealed Qaani from public view to 'create an atmosphere and buy time,' considering this action a psychological warfare tactic, asserting that he will return shortly and the matter will be resolved with the awarding of the 'Victory' medal. The 'Middle East Eye' website reported on Thursday, October 19, citing several sources, that Ismail Qaani is alive and well, but is under surveillance and interrogation as part of the Islamic Republic's investigations into significant security breaches. Since the killing of Hassan Nasrallah, the Secretary-General of Hezbollah, in a widespread Israeli airstrike on Beirut on October 6, Ismail Qaani has not appeared in public. According to 'Middle East Eye,' following this incident, the IRGC has initiated investigations into how Israeli intelligence penetrated the leadership layers of Hezbollah and became aware of Hassan Nasrallah's time and place of presence. The news website reported, citing ten sources in Tehran, Beirut, and Baghdad, that Ismail Qaani and his team are under surveillance as part of these security investigations. According to this report, the Quds Force commander traveled to Lebanon two days after Hassan Nasrallah's death for 'field situation assessment,' but following reports about the killing of Hashem Safi al-Din, a potential successor to Hassan Nasrallah, all contact with Ismail Qaani was cut off for two days. 'Middle East Eye' reported, citing two sources in the IRGC and Iraqi officials, that Ismail Qaani was not present at Hashem Safi al-Din's meeting with the Hezbollah Council and has not sustained any injuries. A military commander in a group close to Iran told 'Middle East Eye' that 'nothing is clear at the moment. Investigations are ongoing, and anything is possible.' The Tasnim news agency, close to the IRGC, claimed on Wednesday, October 18, citing a military official, that Ismail Qaani, the commander of the Quds Force, is in 'perfect health.' On Thursday, October 19, 'Sky News Arabia' reported, citing 'Iranian sources,' that Ismail Qaani suffered a heart attack during interrogation. According to this report, the head of the Quds Force commander's office is suspected of having connections with Israel. Ibrahim Jabari, advisor to the IRGC commander, added that Ismail Qaani will receive a 'Victory' medal from Ali Khamenei, the leader of the Islamic Republic, in the coming days. Hamid Mohammadi, a journalist, told Voice of America that the Islamic Republic's delay in providing information about the Quds Force commander is 'suspicious.' Hamid Mohammadi, a journalist and security analyst, said on Wednesday, October 18, that on one hand, 'some say this is a psychological warfare tool of the Islamic Republic,' and it is possible that 'in a day or two, he will be unveiled and awarded the Victory medal and presented as a brave general, but on the other hand, due to the previous lies of the Islamic Republic about the deaths of its generals, the government may be trying to buy time to announce his death.' According to this journalist, if Qaani has been killed, announcing his death under current conditions would be 'a match under the pot of the regime's supporters,' forcing the Islamic Republic 'to a fundamental reaction,' especially when they are trying to limit Israeli military operations through various means and lobbying efforts. Mr. Mohammadi also emphasized the 'active propaganda apparatus of the Islamic Republic,' stating that on one hand, it is said that 'Qaani is in a corner of Syria or Lebanon to plan, and if Israeli activity escalates, he will carry out a stronger retaliation if attacked.' Hamid Mohammadi also reminded that all these are hypotheses, stating: 'It should not be forgotten that for Ali Khamenei, the death of his associates, from Raisi and political officials to military commanders and IRGC members, is not important at all. Because based on his Islamic beliefs, he has reached a degree of heartlessness that considers death a right.' He also emphasized: 'Do not forget that the IRGC is not a classic military organization based on patriotism and science and technology, but rather an organization based on ideologies and apocalyptic beliefs, a mixture of Ashura culture and martyrdom, where those commanders who emerged from the Iran-Iraq war do not mind heading towards 'martyrdom' at the end of their lives.'