Soleimani’s Deputy Esmail Ghaani Named Iran’s Quds Force Chief
Ismail Qaani
Photographer: Iranian Leader Press Office/Handout/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
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Qassem Soleimani’s deputy Esmail Ghaani has been named commander of Iran’s elite Quds Force, according to the semi-official Fars news agency.
The announcement was made after Soleimani was killed by a U.S. airstrike in Iraq, in a major escalation of tensions between Tehran and Washington. Iran has vowed a swift and severe retaliation in response to Soleimani’s death, which officials have described as an act of state-sponsored terrorism.