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Qasem Soleimani
Former Commander, IRGC Quds Force
Iranian military leader
Overview
Major General Qasem Soleimani commanded the Quds Force of Iran Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) for over two decades, overseeing Iran proxy warfare and covert operations across the Middle East. He was killed in a U.S. drone strike at Baghdad International Airport on January 3, 2020, in an operation ordered directly by President Trump.
Key Affiliations
Controversies & Concerns
Directed Iranian proxy operations across Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, and Yemen that resulted in hundreds of American military deaths through provision of explosively formed penetrators (EFPs) and other weapons to Iraqi militias
Orchestrated Iranian military intervention in Syria to prop up the Assad regime, including coordination of Hezbollah, Iraqi Shia militias, and Afghan Fatemiyoun Brigade
Designated as a terrorist by the United States, European Union, and multiple other nations for supporting terrorism worldwide
Assassination by U.S. drone strike in January 2020 triggered Iranian ballistic missile attack on U.S. bases in Iraq, with over 100 American troops suffering traumatic brain injuries
Pentagon assessment attributed responsibility for the deaths of at least 603 American service members in Iraq to Soleimani-directed militia operations
Related Investigations (1)
Criminal Charges & Violations
2 documented violations
Executive Order 13224Specially Designated Global Terrorist(Terrorism)
UNSCR 1747UN Security Council travel ban and asset freeze(Sanctions)
Known Associates & Connections
Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis
Iraqi militia commander killed in same drone strike
Sources & Documentation
2 documented sources from official records, investigations, and reports
Personal Information
- Born
- March 11, 1957
- Birthplace
- Qanat-e Malek, Iran
Education
- •Kerman University (partial)
Key Timeline
1998-01-01
Appointed commander of IRGC Quds Force
2003-04-01
Began directing support for Iraqi Shia militias following U.S. invasion
2007-10-25
Designated under Executive Order 13224 by U.S. Treasury
2011-10-11
Implicated in Iranian plot to assassinate Saudi Ambassador to U.S. at a Washington D.C. restaurant
2014-06-01
Personally directed Iraqi Shia militia defense of Baghdad against ISIS
2015-09-01
Traveled to Moscow to coordinate Russian intervention in Syria
2020-01-03
Killed by U.S. MQ-9 Reaper drone strike at Baghdad International Airport