Iran’s Quds Force, an elite branch of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), has been at the center of Israeli airstrikes targeting its commanders and command centers in recent weeks—marking a strategic escalation in the shadow war between the two nations.
At a Glance
- The Quds Force is the IRGC’s extraterritorial arm, specializing in covert operations and proxy warfare across the Middle East
- It reports directly to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei and has been linked to support for Hamas, Hezbollah, the Houthis, and other militant groups
- Israel’s “Operation Rising Lion” has struck Quds leadership hubs in Tehran, reportedly killing intelligence chiefs and deputy commanders
- The force numbers between approximately 17,000 and 21,000 operatives and engages in military intelligence, training, weapons, and finance coordination across multiple countries
- It has been designated a terrorist organization by the U.S. and remains central to Iran’s asymmetric-war strategy
Origins, Mission, and Regional Reach
Formed in the late 1980s during the Iran-Iraq War, the Quds Force is the external wing of Iran’s IRGC, tasked with exporting Iran’s revolutionary ideology through covert operations, arms transfers, and paramilitary alliances. According to Business Insider, it oversees training and equipping groups such as Hezbollah, Hamas, and the Houthis. Reporting directly to Ayatollah Khamenei, it bypasses conventional command structures, making it a central pillar of Iran’s regional power projection.
Escalation: Israeli Strikes and Leadership Losses
In recent days, Israel launched a sweeping campaign known as “Operation Rising Lion,” striking key Quds Force intelligence and operations hubs in Tehran. As The Wall Street Journal reports, these precision strikes killed at least four senior Iranian intelligence figures, including deputy chief Mohammad Hassan Mohaqeq. Drone-assisted and AI-guided surveillance preceded the operations, according to AP News.
Watch a report: Israel Targets Iran’s Quds Force Leadership.
The escalation follows the earlier reported killing of IRGC Commander Gen. Hossein Salami, as confirmed by AP. Israel claims it now has temporary control over Iranian airspace above Tehran during these strikes, raising alarm about a broader conflict trajectory.
Strategic Implications for the Region
The dismantling of Quds Force leadership threatens to destabilize Iran’s network of militant proxies. With command structures under duress, organizations like Hezbollah and the Houthis may face logistical and operational disruptions. However, according to The Guardian, retaliatory potential remains high—ranging from ballistic missile salvos to cyber warfare and Shiite militia mobilization across Iraq and Syria.
The Quds Force, often compared to a hybrid between the CIA and JSOC, is estimated to have 17,000–21,000 operatives globally. Its role in managing Iran’s “axis of resistance” makes its weakening a significant but risky gambit. Analysts now debate whether Israel’s bold campaign signals a decisive blow—or a flashpoint for escalation.
With top operatives eliminated, the question now is whether Iran’s regional ambitions have been fatally wounded—or merely provoked into a new, deadlier phase.
