Qaani, who heads the IRGC's elite external operations unit responsible for managing Tehran's regional proxy networks, issued the threat in remarks carried prominently by Iranian state media. His statement marks one of the most direct public warnings from a senior Iranian military official since the escalation of fighting in southern Lebanon. "Israel must withdraw from Lebanon immediately," Qaani declared in the address. "Lebanon is a field of steadfast resistance, not a playground for occupiers." The Quds Force commander warned that if Israeli forces do not choose to retreat on their own terms now, they will soon be forced out under military pressure and will flee the region "in shame, in humiliation, and in crushing defeat."
The remarks from Qaani carry particular weight given his position as the operational architect of Iran's regional influence. The Quds Force serves as Tehran's primary instrument for arming, funding, and directing militia groups across the Middle East, with Hezbollah in Lebanon representing its most powerful and sophisticated proxy force. Qaani has commanded the unit since January 2020, when his predecessor Qassem Soleimani was killed in a U.S. drone strike in Baghdad.
Qaani's public intervention comes after months of conspicuous absence from the spotlight. The Quds Force chief has largely disappeared from public view since the outbreak of the current conflict, communicating primarily through written statements and social media posts rather than public appearances. In previous messages to Hezbollah operatives, he praised what he termed their "exceptional efforts" and urged them to remain "vigilant and ready." (Ed note: Qaani was just in Iraq trying to stir things up.) (Read More)
Qaani's public intervention comes after months of conspicuous absence from the spotlight. The Quds Force chief has largely disappeared from public view since the outbreak of the current conflict, communicating primarily through written statements and social media posts rather than public appearances. In previous messages to Hezbollah operatives, he praised what he termed their "exceptional efforts" and urged them to remain "vigilant and ready." (Ed note: Qaani was just in Iraq trying to stir things up.) (Read More)
