The Quds Force is part of the 125,000-strong Revolutionary Guard, a paramilitary organization that answers only to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The Quds Force “will be unchanged from the time of his predecessor,” Khamenei said, according to IRNA. Suleimani long has been the face of the Quds Force. In 2012, the U.S. Treasury sanctioned Ghaani, describing him as having authority over “financial disbursements” to proxies affiliated with the Quds Force. (Jim Watson / AFP/Getty Images) 9 / 23 Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei visits Suleimani’s family.

Source: Los Angeles Times January 04, 2020 21:56 UTC