30.03.2026 17:23
Ismail Qaani, the commander of the Quds Force of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard, who has been in the spotlight due to allegations of espionage on behalf of Israel and involvement in the assassinations of senior Iranian figures, has broken his long silence. In his statement, Qaani argued that Netanyahu's promises have not been fulfilled, saying, "Get used to the new order of the region."
According to Iranian media, Kaani made a statement from an account opened in his name on the US-based X company's social media platform.
In the statement, Kaani said, "Netanyahu dreamed of expanding the security belt in the region. However, the fire from Hezbollah in the north and Ansarullah (Houthis) in the south thwarted the regime's promise to the settlers. The resistance front is now in one room. Get used to the new order of the region."
HE HAD SURVIVED THE ATTACK ON HAMANEY
The US and Israel had virtually targeted the 'heart' of the state in the operation they launched against Iran last month. It was announced that 48 high-ranking commanders, including Iran's religious leader Khamenei, were killed. Only Ismail Kaani, the commander of the Quds Force of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards, survived that assassination that shook Tehran.
Kaani, the commander of the Quds Force affiliated with the Iranian Revolutionary Guards, had left the building just before it was bombed, even before the death of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah. Kaani's last-minute departure from the area before the operation in which Nasrallah was killed caused controversy, but the Iranian commander faced no accusations. He had also left the building before the attack on the meeting of high-ranking Iranian military officials during the 12-Day War that occurred in June and escaped the attack.
WHO IS ISMAIL KAANI?
Ismail Kaani, the commander of the Quds Force within the Iranian government-affiliated Revolutionary Guards, was born in 1957 in the city of Mashhad, Iran. Kaani joined the ranks of the Revolutionary Guards after the Iranian Revolution in 1979. He served actively in the Iran-Iraq War from 1980 to 1988 and rose in his military career during this period.
Kaani, who held high-level positions in the Quds Force for many years, was particularly among those responsible for operations along the Afghanistan and Pakistan fronts. Kaani, who has been placed on the US sanctions list, is seen as an influential figure in the relationships established with regional militia groups.
After the assassination of Quds Force Commander Qassem Soleimani in a US airstrike in Baghdad in January 2020, Kaani was appointed to the position and has been in charge of the unit since that date. Although he is seen as a lower-profile figure in the public eye compared to Soleimani, he played an important role in Iran's regional strategy.