'Missing' IRGC commander Esmail Qaani suspected of being an Israeli spy

In what could be a major embarrassment for the Iranian government, a top military commander of the country is now suspected of being an Israeli agent. Esmail Qaani, the commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Quds Force, who has not been seen since the October 4 bunker strike in Beirut, may have been spying for Iran's arch-rival Israel all along.

CREDIT: REUTERS

Where is Esmail Qaani

Multiple media reports, including by Sky News Arabia, Middle East Eye, and The Sun, have claimed that the 60-year-old is being held under house arrest and is being interrogated for his suspected links with Israel.

Who is Esmail Qaani

Qaani was appointed the chief of the IRGC Quds Force in 2020 after the US killed his predecessor, Qassem Soleimani, in a drone strike in Baghdad.

Qaani, who started his career in the IRGC in the 1980s during the Iran-Iraq war, rose through the ranks and eventually became its chief. Though Qaani had vowed to continue Soleimani¡¯s mission when he assumed office, his role came under scrutiny following the killing of Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah, and his presumed successor Hashem Safieddine.

Also read: Khamenei reportedly warned Nasrallah about Israeli assassination plot, asked him to flee Lebanon

CREDIT: REUTERS

Why Iran suspects Israeli infiltration

The killings have spooked Iran on an unprecedented scale, and there is growing concern in Tehran that Israeli agents have infiltrated the top leadership. The whereabouts of the likes of Nasrallah was supposed to be a top secret in Iran, which only a hand-full of people in the inner circle were aware of, but somehow Israel was able to locate him, hiding in a bunker located under a residential building.

Qaani was in Lebanon two days after Nasrallah was killed, and after the death of Safieddine on October 4, he has been untraceable. There were some unconfirmed reports that Qaani was also killed along with Safieddine.

CREDIT: REUTERS

Esmail Qaani is well: Iranian officials

Iranian authorities, however, denied reports of his death and claimed that Qaani is in perfect health and will receive the Fath medal from the Supreme Leader in the coming days.

'Esmail Qaani being interrogated'

But according to Sky News Arabia, Qaani is under investigation and had suffered a heart attack during interrogations.

CREDIT: REUTERS

Middle East Eye, quoting multiple sources in Tehran, Beirut, and Baghdad, including senior Shia figures and sources close to Hezbollah and in the IRGC, reported that Qaani and his team are under lockdown as investigators seek answers.

For more news and current affairs from around the world, please visit Indiatimes News.