According to IRAF News Agency, major international and regional developments are often shaped by visionary figures, whose actions and leadership become models and symbols for society. Major General Qassem Soleimani stands out as one of these pivotal figures in contemporary history, emerging at a critical juncture to influence regional and global narratives, and ultimately becoming a leading figure across the entire resistance axis.
Who Was Qassem Soleimani?
Born on March 10, 1957, Soleimani was raised with a strong religious and revolutionary ethos and emerged as a committed soldier of the Islamic Revolution. He distinguished himself in multiple military roles, notably participating in numerous operations during the Iran-Iraq War, sustaining injuries on several occasions.
He established the 41st Sarallah Division, playing a key role in securing Iran’s eastern provinces. Known affectionately among followers as “Haj Qassem,” he considered himself a devoted servant of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamene’i.
Soleimani’s influence across his various responsibilities elevated him to one of the top commanders of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, eventually assuming leadership of the Quds Force. Drawing on deep religious knowledge and inspiration from Islamic values, the epic of Karbala, the principles of the Islamic Revolution, and the ideal of a united Muslim Ummah, he developed a regional and international strategic approach.
He played an active role across Middle Eastern countries, supporting and organizing resistance movements. Believing that Iran should hold a central role in the Muslim world, he helped establish a security belt, bolstering the military capacity of Hezbollah in Lebanon, armed Palestinian factions, resistance in Afghanistan and Iraq, defending Bashar al-Assad’s government, and ultimately contributing to the defeat of ISIS. Through these efforts, he shaped a new regional geopolitical order.
Before the full realization of this strategy and his broader vision for the Muslim world, Soleimani was killed on January 3, 2020, in a U.S. drone strike at Baghdad International Airport.
How Did Soleimani Rise to Power?
Soleimani, who held a high-ranking position in Iran’s defense and security apparatus and carried major responsibilities, had long played a pivotal role in sensitive security operations. However, his name was seldom mentioned in media reports, and coverage of his activities remained limited.
Following the September 11 attacks, the U.S. military presence in Afghanistan, the fall of Saddam Hussein’s regime, and America’s attempts to assert full dominance over the region, alongside the rise of ISIS—which threatened to destabilize the Middle East—Soleimani’s regional and international influence became increasingly significant. He closely monitored developments and expanded his operational reach.
Soleimani’s simultaneous engagement on the battlefield and in diplomacy during this period were key factors that thrust him into international headlines. His strategic and heroic image was widely reflected in regional and global media, revealing a figure who established the largest resistance network in the East and blocked the realization of imperialist agendas.
His steadfast opposition to the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) positioned him as the leading figure against the extremist group. After ISIS’s 2014 assault on northern Iraq and the capture of Mosul and Tikrit, the Iraqi army collapsed, putting Baghdad at serious risk. Media outlets, including “The Sunday Times”, “The Wall Street Journal”, and “The New York Times”, reported that Iran had effectively assumed command of Iraq’s failing military to counter ISIS.
Soleimani, as commander of Iran’s Quds Force, led the defense of Baghdad against ISIS attacks. An Iraqi source stated that he entered Iraq with 67 advisers, overseeing operations, troop deployments, and battle planning. The Hashd al-Sha’abi (Popular Mobilization Forces), organized under Soleimani’s guidance, played a decisive and central role in the conflict. These actions significantly elevated Soleimani’s public profile, firmly establishing him as a prominent figure in the eyes of the international community.
The Traits and Legacy of General Qasem Soleimani
As widely recognized, the late General Qasem Soleimani possessed unique qualities that can be described across three dimensions: domestic, regional, and international.
- Domestic Dimension
Soleimani was a national hero of Iran. On the day of his martyrdom and during his funeral, millions of Iranian citizens across provinces gathered to bid farewell to their national champion—a historic moment reflecting his esteemed status.
The Supreme Leader of Iran has consistently praised Soleimani in both spiritual and heroic terms, describing him as courageous, intelligent, devout, selfless, and deeply committed to the afterlife and revolutionary ideals. In one statement, the Leader remarked:
“I admired him in my heart and with my words, but today, in view of what he initiated for the country and the region, I bow before him.”
From a remote village in Kerman province, Soleimani grew up steeped in religious and revolutionary values, cultivating faith, sacrifice, bravery, and resilience. Over the years, he emerged as a luminous figure, a hero for both the Iranian nation and the wider Islamic world.
- Regional Dimension
Regional political and military leaders have acknowledged Soleimani’s commitment to justice and his exemplary courage. Successor Iraqi politician and former National Security Minister, Mowaffaq al-Rubi’ee, stated in Asharq Al-Awsat:
“Without a doubt, the most powerful man in Iraq was General Soleimani.”
Regarding Arab and Iraqi media attempts to discredit him, al-Rubaie added:
“I met Qasem Soleimani multiple times. I found him to be the smartest person I have ever known. He combined international strategic thinking with grassroots, revolutionary insight. Rarely does one find a person equally adept militarily and politically, but Soleimani was exceptional in both.”
- International Dimension
Soleimani’s charisma extended beyond friends and allies; even his strategic adversaries acknowledged his capabilities. U.S. General David Petraeus noted:
“Qasem Soleimani is highly competent, a capable leader, and a worthy adversary. He executes his mission effectively—a hallmark of this historic figure.”
Similarly, the Deputy Commander of U.S. Special Operations told an Iranian diplomat:
“I had long awaited an opportunity to tell a loyal Iranian that we, American generals, hold General Soleimani in particular respect. He is our enemy, yet his military acumen in strategy and tactics commands our admiration.”
Former CIA officer John Maguire described Soleimani as the most formidable force in the Middle East, a figure whose capabilities were largely unknown to the wider world.
Soleimani’s rise to the highest military rank of Major General and receipt of the Zolfaghar Medal—Iran’s highest military honor—reflect his unparalleled qualities, recognized even by his adversaries
Strategic Vision of General Qasem Soleimani for Iran and the Region
Drawing inspiration from the revolutionary and ideological foundations that shaped him, General Qasem Soleimani’s overarching strategies for the Islamic Republic of Iran and the broader region were evident in his words, actions, and worldview.
Soleimani defined his mission through two guiding principles:
- “We are the nation of Imam Hussein”
- “We are the nation of martyrdom”
He viewed the concept of a “nation” as a broad and inclusive political notion, rooted in divine and religious boundaries. This perspective reflected that his struggle transcended ethnicity, language, geography, and nationality, with ultimate goals of fulfilling God’s will, establishing justice, and preserving human dignity. In his school of thought, there was no place for discrimination; justice and human dignity were paramount. His geopolitical and geostrategic outlook for Iran and the region was grounded in Islamic values, justice, and human dignity.
A Regional Mission Beyond Borders
Soleimani’s activities extended far beyond Iranian territory:
In Palestine, he fought for the liberation of Jerusalem.
In Syria, Lebanon, and Iraq, he aided the oppressed.
In Yemen, he supported brothers under injustice.
In Afghanistan, he provided unwavering support for the national resistance.
He viewed martyrdom as a sacred and divine principle, a path to liberate oppressed nations from global tyranny and imperialist domination. His repeated emphasis on “We are the nation of martyrdom” was aimed at nurturing the revolutionary spirit and heroism among generations of fighters.
A Strategic Vision for Iran
Soleimani believed that the Islamic Republic of Iran was the only country capable of leading and guiding the Muslim world. The creation of a regional security belt centered on resistance movements reflected this vision.
Independence and National Sovereignty
Another key element of Soleimani’s strategy was defending the sovereignty and independence of nations in the region and the Muslim world against foreign domination, particularly by the United States. He advocated for equal representation of countries in the United Nations and opposed any foreign military bases in the region. Regarding U.S. presence in Afghanistan, he stated:
“America seeks only to save itself. Wherever the U.S. intervenes, insecurity follows; it is inherent to American imperialism. Its presence brings nothing but destruction, corruption, division, and discord, producing no real value and destabilizing nations.”
Conclusion
General Qasem Soleimani was a true son of Islam and the Islamic Revolution, who fought with steadfast faith and unwavering commitment to Islamic values. His defiance of global arrogance, his role in defeating ISIS, and his creation of the resistance axis established a new strategic paradigm for Iran and the region. Soleimani became a model of courage and heroism, etching his name into the annals of Islamic history.
May his soul rest in peace and his memory remain honored.
