Iranian Quds Force commander Esmail Qaani appeared in public in Tehran on Tuesday evening, dispelling widespread rumors of his death that had circulated for nearly two weeks — and had even briefly made their way onto Wikipedia.
Qaani, 62, was seen addressing a crowd in Revolution Square during a state-organized rally celebrating what Iran calls its “victory over Israel” following the recent military escalations. Dressed in civilian clothes and a black baseball cap, Qaani appeared calm and healthy, interacting with supporters waving national flags.
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His unexpected public appearance comes after media speculation, including a report by The New York Times, claimed that Qaani had been killed in an Israeli airstrike on June 13, 2025, targeting senior Iranian military figures. The Iranian government neither confirmed nor denied the report at the time, and Qaani’s prolonged absence from the public eye further fueled speculation.
At the height of the uncertainty, even Wikipedia briefly listed Qaani as deceased, stating his death occurred on June 13. The entry was later revised quietly after his appearance on state television, which showed footage of the general speaking at the rally.
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Despite the live broadcast, Iranian authorities have not offered any explanation for Qaani’s 12-day disappearance or whether he was in hiding or injured. The silence has left many wondering about the true circumstances behind his absence.
Esmail Qaani assumed leadership of the Quds Force—the elite overseas unit of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)—in January 2020, following the U.S. drone strike that killed General Qasem Soleimani near Baghdad International Airport.
Qaani’s reemergence comes at a critical time for Iran, which is attempting to project military and political resilience amid escalating tensions with Israel and international scrutiny over its nuclear ambitions.
