Tehran [Iran]: Hours after Iranian Major General Qassem Soleimani was killed in an American airstrike ordered by President Donald Trump, the country’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei appointed Deputy Commander of the Quds Force Esmail Ghaani as the head of the unit.

Tasnim News Agency quoted a statement by Khamenei as saying that the force's programme will remain "unaltered from the time of Ghaani's predecessor.

"Following the martyrdom of glorious General Haj Qasem Soleimani, I name Brigadier General Esmail Ghaani  as the commander of the Quds Force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps", Khamenei said, as reported by Sputnik.

Qassem Soleimani: 5 Interesting Facts About One Of The Most Powerful Generals In Middle East

Qassem Soleimani, a US-designated terrorist, along with six others, were killed in the airstrike carried out by the United States near Baghdad's international airport today. The assassination has escalated tensions between the US and Iran, with Tehran vowing to take a "vigorous revenge" for the killing. US embassies in the Gulf has also issued security alerts to its citizens, citing “heightened tensions in the region”.

5  Things To Know About Esmail Ghaani

  • Esmail Ghaani was appointed Deputy Commander of the Quds Force in 1997 by IRGC Chief Commander Rahim Safavi, along with Qassem Soleimani as Chief Commander.

  • Iranian media had reportedly quoted Ghaani as saying in 2017 that U.S. President Donald Trump’s “threats against Iran will damage America ... We have buried several people ... like Trump and know how to fight against America.”

  • Ayatollah Ali Khamenei described Ghaani as "one of the most distinguished Revolutionary Guard commanders," according to Radio Farda.

  • Esmail Ghaani is known for his vociferous criticism of Israel

  • Esmail Ghaani also served in the Iran-Iraq War in the 1980s.