Speculation About Ismail Qaani's Status Continues; New York Times Reports He Was Last Seen in Beirut Last Week

Speculation regarding the death of Ismail Qaani, the commander of the Quds Force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, continues, with the latest report from the New York Times citing its sources that he was seen last week in Beirut. According to this report, the commander of the Quds Force was last seen in Beirut, where, according to three unnamed Iranian officials, he was present to assist the Iran-backed Hezbollah militants in response to extensive Israeli attacks. While rumors of his death in an airstrike persist, an anonymous member of the Revolutionary Guards stationed in Beirut told the New York Times that the silence of the Islamic Republic on this matter has caused concern and fear among the Quds Force and Hezbollah forces in Lebanon. Meanwhile, according to state media, Mohammad Mahdi Hemmat, in response to these speculations, tweeted about Ismail Qaani's health. He, the son of Mohammad Ibrahim Hemmat, a senior commander of the Revolutionary Guards during the Iran-Iraq war, referred to the rumor of Qaani's death as 'enemy media games.' Beirut woke up amid smoke and fire following Israeli airstrikes, with further explanations from Reza Talebi regarding the difficulties faced by the Islamic Republic on the brink of a potential Israeli attack. Hassan Hashemian stated that the blows Israel has dealt to Hezbollah are irreparable. There were also reports of severe explosions in the southern suburbs of Beirut on Saturday night. The United States' position regarding the conflicts between the Islamic Republic and Israel was also highlighted, with the Israeli Prime Minister emphasizing the need to respond to Iranian missile attacks, stating that no country would accept such an attack. The latest status of the battlefield between Israel and Hezbollah was reviewed, noting that a potential successor to Nasrallah has been missing since Friday. Additionally, there was a verbal exchange between Netanyahu and Macron, with France retreating and emphasizing support for Israel.