On Sunday, October 6, 2024, senior Iranian security sources reported that contact has been lost with the commander of Iran's Quds Force, Ismail Qaani, since the recent airstrikes on Beirut.

Two high-ranking Iranian officials, speaking to Reuters, stated that Qaani traveled to Lebanon following the death of Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah last month in an Israeli airstrike.

One official noted that Qaani was in southern Beirut at the time of the Thursday strike, which reportedly targeted potential Nasrallah successor Hashem Safieddine. However, the official clarified that Qaani did not meet with Safieddine.

Since the strike, both Iran and Hezbollah have been unable to establish communication with Qaani. Israel has been targeting multiple sites in southern Beirut as part of its campaign against the Iran-backed Hezbollah group.

The second official confirmed that Qaani's visit to Lebanon occurred after Nasrallah's death, and that Iranian authorities lost contact with him following the attack thought to be aimed at Safieddine. Hezbollah has not yet commented on Safieddine's status.

The Quds Force, part of Iran's Revolutionary Guard, oversees operations with armed groups allied to Tehran throughout the Middle East, including Hezbollah.

Additionally, Iranian Revolutionary Guard leader Abbas Nilforushan was killed alongside Nasrallah when their underground base was struck by Israeli shelling on September 27.