All articles tagged with #quds force
The U.S. Treasury sanctioned Golden Global Bank of Turkey and two subsidiaries for facilitating tens of millions of dollars in transactions for Iran’s Quds Force and providing key correspondent banking access, marking the second financial institution targeted under the Trump administration’s Operation Economic Outcast as part of its effort to isolate Tehran.
Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps is depicted as the spine of a militarized state, wielding broad control over security, politics and a sizable slice of the economy. Through a decentralized 'mosaic' command and its Quds Force, the IRGC maintains domestic authority, projects influence in the region, and stands as the main barrier to regime change, even as leadership shifts and external strikes test the regime.
The Israel Defense Forces said it destroyed the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Quds Force headquarters, a major blow to the group long accused of destabilizing the region and backing proxy networks. Despite the 2020 killing of Quds Force leader Qasem Soleimani, Esmail Qaani remains a key Iranian commander directing operations against Israel. The strike is described as one of the war’s most significant actions and signals a major shift in Iran’s threat capabilities in the post-war period.
The Israeli military announced it killed Hussein Mahmoud Marshad al-Jawhari, a key Iranian Quds Force operative involved in planning attacks from Lebanon and Syria, in an operation in Ansariyeh, Lebanon, amid ongoing tensions and Israeli strikes targeting Iranian-backed groups.
Recent targeted killings of Iranian Quds Force commanders highlight significant breaches in Iran's intelligence security, with Israel believed to be behind many covert operations, exposing vulnerabilities within Iran's internal security and intelligence agencies.
Israel claims to have killed senior Iranian military commander Saeed Izadi in Qom, accusing him of orchestrating Hamas's October attack on Israel, marking a significant escalation in the conflict between Israel and Iran. Israel also reportedly killed another Quds Force commander, Behnam Shahriyari, in Iran. The conflict has resulted in significant casualties on both sides, with Iran warning against US involvement and escalating military actions in the region.
Hezbollah leader Nasrallah reassured Iran's Quds Force chief that they would fight alone in any war with Israel, as the risk of an Israeli offensive in Lebanon was discussed. Iran advised its militia allies to avoid wider conflict, mindful of the danger it could spread and lead to strikes on Iran's nuclear installations. Israel is determined to address the Hezbollah threat, with tensions escalating amid the ongoing violence in Gaza. Diplomatic efforts to move Hezbollah fighters from the border area remain elusive, as the possibility of military action in Lebanon increases.
Hezbollah leader Nasrallah reassured Iran's Quds Force chief that Hezbollah would fight Israel alone and not drag Iran into a war, amid concerns of a potential Israeli offensive in Lebanon following attacks on Hamas. The meeting highlighted Iran's efforts to avoid major escalation in the region while projecting strength and support for Gaza through allied armed groups. Both Iran and Hezbollah are wary of the grave perils of a wider war in Lebanon and are seeking to avoid being drawn into a conflict with Israel.
Police in Peru have arrested an Iranian man, purportedly a member of Iran's Quds Force, for allegedly planning to kill an Israeli citizen in the country. The man, Majid Azizi, was apprehended in Lima, and authorities believe he entered the country on March 3. Two Peruvian citizens were also arrested in connection with the plot, and a third individual is still being sought. Azizi and the two Peruvians will remain in prison for an initial 15 days under terrorism charges. This marks the first time Peruvian authorities have announced the arrest of an alleged member of the Quds Force.
Esmail Qaani, the head of Iran's elite Quds Force, visited Baghdad and urged Iran-aligned militias to refrain from attacking US troops in order to avoid heavy US retaliation, leading to a pause in attacks. This move is seen as an attempt by Iran to prevent a broader conflict and demonstrates its influence over Iraqi armed groups. The Iraqi government, seeking to prevent further escalation, has also requested Iran's help in reining in the militias. Talks between Iraq and the United States about ending the US presence in Iraq have resumed following the lull in hostilities, with both sides preferring negotiations over attacks.
Iran's Quds Force commander, Esmail Qaani, visited Baghdad and met with Iran-aligned armed groups, urging them to halt attacks on U.S. forces to avoid escalation. The pause in attacks allowed talks to resume over the future of U.S. troops in Iraq, with the Iraqi government seeking to prevent the country from becoming a battleground for foreign powers. The U.S. asserts Iran's control over armed groups, while Iran says they operate independently. The lull in attacks may be temporary, as some factions vow to resume operations in response to recent killings.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' elite Quds Force reportedly trained around 500 Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad fighters in specialized combat techniques in Iran before the October 7 terror attack. The attackers used drones to disable Israeli observation posts, paraglided into Israel, and rode motorcycles, a method not previously associated with Hamas. While Iran's direct involvement in the assault has been disputed, it is acknowledged that Iran has provided support to Hamas in the form of funding, training, weapons, and intelligence.
Iran allegedly hid military equipment, including small arms, ammunition, and drones, in aid shipments to Syria after an earthquake in February, according to leaked US documents obtained by The Washington Post. The shipments were reportedly made through vehicle convoys from Iran in collaboration with local militant groups and the Quds Force. The documents suggested that the Quds Force officer directed an Iraqi militia group to "embed weapons within legitimate earthquake aid."
Iran allegedly hid military equipment, including small arms, ammunition, and drones, in aid shipments to Syria after an earthquake in February, according to leaked US documents obtained by The Washington Post. The shipments were reportedly made through vehicle convoys from Iran in collaboration with local militant groups and the Quds Force. The documents suggested that the Quds Force officer directed an Iraqi militia group to "embed weapons within legitimate earthquake aid."
Iran allegedly concealed military equipment, including small arms, ammunition, and drones, in aid shipments to Syria after an earthquake in February to target US troops, according to leaked US documents obtained by The Washington Post. The shipments were reportedly made through vehicle convoys from Iran in collaboration with local militant groups and the Quds Force. The Popular Mobilization Committee, an umbrella organization of militias, has denied involvement. An official in Iraq's prime minister's office called the findings "fake."