The top commander of Iran's military operations abroad has not been seen in days and several stilted official allusions to him on Monday further fueled speculation about his whereabouts and the possibility of his death at Israeli hands.
The leader of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' elite Quds Force Esmail Qaani did not appear alongside other top commanders Friday prayers led by Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei on Friday.
Iranian media reports on Saturday alleged that Qaani might have been in Beirut following the death of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and continued Israeli air strikes on positions of the Iran-backed group.
Some Iran watchers suspect he might have been killed or injured in Israeli air strikes.
"Many are asking about General Qaani. He is well and actively engaged in his duties." Iraj Masjedi, the deputy coordinator of the Quds Force said on Monday.
"Some are suggesting a statement be issued. Why a statement? There is no need for such an action," he said.
Adding to the mystery, an October 1 post on Qaani's X account - "God is great" - appearing to celebrate Iran's large missile attack on Israel that day was subsequently deleted.
At a Tehran conference on youth issues where Qaani was due to speak on Monday, an organizers said he “sent his regards” and apologized for not being able to attend the meeting due to his involvement in matters elsewhere.
Informed sources have told Iran International that even Qaani's family remained unaware of his whereabouts.
A targeted air strike on Beirut last week which aimed to assassinate Hashem Safieddine, a senior Hezbollah leader and potential successor to Hassan Nasrallah, has raised speculation about Qaani’s possible presence.
Qaani had traveled to Lebanon to meet with Hezbollah officials in an effort to strengthen the group, the New York Times, citing three unnamed Iranian officials, reported. Reuters also reported on Sunday that according to Iranian officials Qaani has not been heard from since Friday.
Senior Hezbollah official Mahmoud Qmati told Reuters: "I have no information, we are also searching for the truth of this matter."
Israel was not aware of Qaani's presence when it struck Beirut, the Times of Israel reported citing military sources.
"If Qaani was actually with Safieddine during the strike, the IDF was not aware of this and that he was not the intended target," military sources told the Israeli daily.
