Fact Check: Esmail Qaani, der Kommandeur der Quds Force, wurde während eines angeblichen israelischen Luftangriffs in Iran getötet. (from "Irans Quds-Force-Chef Esmail Qaani von Israel getötet, berichtet NYT")

Fact Check: "Esmail Qaani, der Kommandeur der Quds Force, wurde während eines angeblichen israelischen Luftangriffs in Iran getötet."

What We Know

Esmail Qaani was the commander of the Quds Force, an elite unit of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), responsible for extraterritorial operations. He succeeded Qasem Soleimani after Soleimani's assassination by a U.S. drone strike in January 2020. On June 13, 2025, multiple sources reported that Qaani was killed during an Israeli airstrike in Iran. The New York Times cited Iranian officials confirming his death during an Israeli military operation named Operation Rising Lion, which targeted Iranian military leaders and installations. This report was corroborated by other outlets, including The Times of Israel and Livemint, which also cited Iranian sources confirming Qaani's death.

Analysis

The claim that Esmail Qaani was killed in an Israeli airstrike is supported by multiple reputable sources. The New York Times, a well-regarded international news outlet, reported the incident citing Iranian officials. This lends credibility to the claim, as the New York Times is known for its rigorous fact-checking and reliable reporting. Additionally, The Times of Israel and Livemint provided similar accounts, further supporting the claim.

However, it is important to note that the information primarily relies on unnamed Iranian sources. While these sources are cited by reputable news organizations, the lack of official confirmation from the Iranian government or independent verification could be seen as a limitation. Nonetheless, the consistency across multiple reports suggests a high likelihood of accuracy.

Conclusion

True: The claim that Esmail Qaani, the commander of the Quds Force, was killed during an Israeli airstrike in Iran is supported by multiple credible sources. While the reports rely on unnamed Iranian officials, the consistency and corroboration by reputable international news outlets provide a strong basis for the claim's validity.

Sources

1. Esmail Qaani
2. Iran's Quds Force chief Esmail Qaani killed by Israeli strikes | The Jerusalem Post
3. Report: Head of Iran's elite Quds Force killed in Israeli strike | The Times of Israel
4. Iran's Quds Force Commander Esmail Qaani killed in Israeli strike | Livemint
5. Iran's Quds force commander killed in Israeli strikes five years after Soleimani died | MSN
6. Who are the Iranian military chiefs and scientists killed by Israeli strikes? | Middle East Eye
7. Ismail Qaani Killed: Impact on Iran's Military | The Jewish Voice
8. Iranian attack toll rises: At least 44 injured, two in critical condition | Ynetnews