A top commander of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) stunned observers by appearing publicly in Tehran, quashing media reports that he had been killed in a 12-day conflict with Israel.
Videos rapidly circulated on social media showing General Esmail Qaani celebrating with jubilant crowds at a rally in Tehran to celebrate what Iranian authorities are calling a victory. He was not among the many senior figures that Israel’s armed forces said they had killed.
Newsweek has reached out to the Israel and Iran’s foreign ministries for comment.
Why It Matters
Qaani’s public reappearance is a pivotal moment for Iran’s military leadership as a symbol that it has not been entirely eliminated in the Israeli strikes.
As commander of the IRGC’s Quds Force, responsible for Iran’s foreign operations and alliances, he is central to Tehran’s regional strategy. Qaani’s visibility projects enduring strength by the IRGC and signals Iran’s determination to withstand international pressure.
What to Know
Qaani’s reappearance follows a conflict between Israel and Iran, with U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear sites, and concluded with a ceasefire brokered by President Donald Trump. Israel has claimed responsibility for killing at least 10 senior Iranian commanders during the campaign, including top figures from the IRGC and its intelligence and aerospace divisions.
Reports of Qaani’s death first surfaced on June 13, when Israel launched a series of airstrikes across Iran. A New York Times report quoted sources as saying Qaani had been among several senior Iranian military officials killed in the initial wave of attacks.
On Tuesday, a video posted on the social media account of Iran’s Fars News Agency showed Qaani celebrating alongside crowds in Tehran, appearing relaxed as he waved to supporters during the government-backed victory rally.
حضور سردار قاآنی، فرمانده نیروی قدس سپاه در جشن پیروزی در تهران pic.twitter.com/sFN0ybBZvz
— خبرگزاری فارس (@FarsNews_Agency) June 24, 2025
Who Is Esmail Qaani?
Esmail Qaani was appointed to lead the Quds Force in January 2020, following the U.S. assassination of his predecessor, Qassem Soleimani, in Baghdad. While Soleimani was well-known for his public image and charismatic leadership, Qaani has kept a lower profile, both domestically and abroad. He is known for his prior work in Afghanistan and Pakistan, including anti-narcotics operations and support for the Northern Alliance, an alliance of anti-Taliban groups.
Nuclear Negotiator Also Alive
Another Iranian official previously reported dead has reemerged. Ali Shamkhani, a senior advisor to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and a key nuclear negotiator, was initially reported by outlets including CNN, to have been killed in an Israeli strike on his Tehran residence. However, Iranian state media later confirmed that he is “alive and ready to sacrifice.”
Later, Shamkhani took to social media, posting: “It was my fate to survive wounded—so I remain, still the reason for the enemy’s hatred.”
It was my fate to survive wounded—so I remain, still the reason for the enemy’s hatred. I’d sacrifice myself a hundred times for #Iran. Fighting a nation of hope is a game that ends in ashes for its enemies. Victory, lit by martyrs’ smiles, is near.
— علی شمخانی (@alishamkhani_ir) June 21, 2025
What People Are Saying
U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth: “Based on everything we have seen — and I’ve seen it all — our bombing campaign obliterated Iran’s ability to create nuclear weapons. Our massive bombs hit exactly the right spot at each target and worked perfectly.”
Ali Shamkhani: “It was my fate to survive wounded—so I remain, still the reason for the enemy’s hatred. I’d sacrifice myself a hundred times for #Iran. Fighting a nation of hope is a game that ends in ashes for its enemies. Victory, lit by martyrs’ smiles, is near.”
What Happens Next
With Qaani visibly back in the public eye, Iranian officials are likely to continue leveraging his survival as proof of resilience following the unprecedented Israeli strikes and recent U.S. attacks on Iranian nuclear sites. His reemergence may calm speculation over command instability, but scrutiny over recent military setbacks is expected to persist both within Iran’s establishment and among its regional adversaries.
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