Iran's Revolutionary Guards Commander fears attack against Iran and warns Hezbollah not to attack Israel for fear of reprisal

This Outlook provides biographical background on Suleimani that shows why he was chosen as IRGC Quds Force chief.

AEI Iran scholar Ali Alfoneh takes an in-depth look at Suleimani's secret network of military commanders.

In the latest Middle Eastern Outlook, American Enterprise Institute (AEI) resident fellow Ali Alfoneh examines how Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps Quds Force (IRGC QF) is increasingly shaped by a new generation of commanders like Brigadier General Iraj Masjedi, whose close ties with Iraqi insurgents--now power brokers--date back to the Iran-Iraq war.

In this latest Middle Eastern Outlook, Iran expert Ali Alfoneh provides new information about the background, influences, and experiences of Brigadier General Qassem Suleimani.

A review of Brigadier General Gholamreza Baghbani's career trajectory solidifies a pattern of generational change in the IRGC QF in which former QF field operatives are pursing prominent political and advisory positions.

The career of Iraj Masjedi, including his service at Base Ramezan and his promotion to senior adviser to Qassem Suleimani, highlights a cycle of generational change within the IRGC QF, and offers an indication of where to find Iran's future Quds Force leaders.

Should Qassem Suleimani pursue politics, he may be replaced by his deputy, Brigadier General Esmail Qaani, who is believed to be directing the IRGC QF’s activities in Afghanistan.