Speculation grows
over Esmail Qaani

The fate of one of IranŐs
most powerful military
figures remains unknown
after he became the
focus of rumours
that he was an
Israeli spy

1957: Born in Mashhad, Iran

1980: Joins Islamic
Revolutionary Guard Corps
(IRGC). Fights during 1980-88
Iran-Iraq War

1997: Rises
through ranks to
become deputy
commander of
Quds Force under
General Qassem
Soleimani (right)

2020: After Soleimani is killed in
U.S. strike, Qaani takes command
of Quds Force Đ unit oversees
IranŐs foreign military operations
and coordinates allied groups
across Middle East

Earns nickname Ňman with
nine livesÓ after surviving several
suspected assassination attempts
aimed at IranŐs senior leadership

Oct 2024: Reportedly killed, but
resurfaces on state TV after being
questioned about apparent security
breaches surrounding killing of
Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah

Jun 2025: Declared dead during
12-day Iran-Israel war, before
reappearing at public event in Tehran

Persian-language X account
claiming to represent Mossad Đ
IsraelŐs spy agency Đ denies that
Qaani is one of its spies

2026: Reportedly
arouses suspicion
 after surviving
Feb 28 strike that
kills IranŐs former
supreme leader
Ali Khamenei (right)

Speculation rife in Middle East
that Qaani is under house arrest
or has been executed

Sources: Economic Times, The Telegraph
Pictures: Getty Images
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