Esmail Qaani, born on August 8, 1957, in Kerman, Iran, is a prominent Iranian military figure serving as a brigadier general in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and commander of the Quds Force, the elite special operations unit of the IRGC responsible for Iran's extraterritorial military and clandestine operations. He succeeded Qasem Soleimani following Soleimani's assassination by a U.S. drone strike in Baghdad in January 2020. Prior to this role, Qaani had a long career within the IRGC, including participation in the Iran-Iraq War in the 1980s, where he reportedly played key roles in operations against Iraqi forces. His military background also includes involvement in regional activities, such as support for groups in Afghanistan, Lebanon, and other areas of Middle Eastern influence. Under Qaani's leadership, the Quds Force has continued its mandate of advancing Iranian interests abroad through proxy militias and intelligence operations. He has been designated as a terrorist by the United States and other Western countries due to the Quds Force's alleged involvement in supporting militant groups like Hezbollah and Hamas. Qaani maintains a low public profile compared to his predecessor, rarely appearing in media, which aligns with the secretive nature of his position. His appointment was seen as a continuation of Soleimani's aggressive foreign policy strategies, though Qaani has faced challenges amid escalating tensions with Israel and the U.S. Qaani's tenure has been marked by ongoing regional conflicts, including Iran's proxy involvements in Syria, Yemen, and Gaza. He is considered a key architect of Iran's 'Axis of Resistance' network, coordinating with allied forces across the Middle East. Despite international sanctions, Qaani remains a central figure in Iran's military and geopolitical strategy, embodying the IRGC's expansive influence.