SAEDNEWS: In an extraordinary profile, we reveal how General Esmail Qaani—successor to the late Qassem Soleimani—rose through the ranks with a Russian fighter‐pilot license, mastery of three languages and a personal life shrouded in secrecy.
according to Saed News, Esmail Qaani, deputy to General Qassem Soleimani and now the third commander of the IRGC Quds Force, was born on 17 Mordad 1336 (August 8, 1957) and is currently 67 years old.
No public records shed light on the identity of Qaani’s father‑in‑law. The only mention comes from a condolence message issued by the President’s Office upon his passing, which offers no details about his name, origin or occupation.
Often dubbed the “mastermind” of the IRGC, Qaani holds a PhD in nuclear science and earned his fighter‐jet pilot’s certification in Russia.
Sources say he is fluent in three languages, though the precise combination has never been officially confirmed.
In the U.S.: “The Quds Brain”
In Israel: “The Man of Damascus”
Within NATO circles: “The Shadow Commander”
A viral video shows a high‐ranking Iranian official—believed to be Qaani—surrounded by bodyguards wielding M‑249 SAW light machine guns equipped with Aimpoint optics.
1980: Joined the IRGC
Early 1980s: Active in Kurdish regions during unrest
1983–1987: Commander of the 21st Imam Reza Brigade
1987–1989: Led the 5th Nasr Division through the end of the Iran–Iraq War
Post‑War: Deputy head of the IRGC Ground Forces’ 8th Operations Unit
2006–2007: Intelligence deputy at IRGC Joint Staff
Until 2019: Soleimani’s deputy in the Quds Force
Since January 2020: Commander of the Quds Force after Soleimani’s assassination
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