Image of IRGC General Esmail Qaani Disguised as a Woman Is Photoshopped

Misbar investigated the viral image and found it to be fake.

After conducting a thorough reverse image search, Misbar’s team found the image making the rounds to be photoshopped.

A Doctored Image of IRGC’s General Esmail Qaani Circulates Online

Contrary to social media users’ viral circulation of the image, the image is not real. Instead, it was digitally altered.

Misbar’s investigative team traced the original image back to February 11, 2024. Tasnim News Agency initially posted the image, accompanied by a collage of photos depicting several military and government officials attending the 45th anniversary of the Islamic Revolution march ceremony in Tehran, Iran.

The image shows the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps brigadier general Esmail Qaani participating in the march at the time.

The same unedited image was uploaded by the Eghtesad News website along with other photos of the march on February 11.

Iran Celebrates the 45th Anniversary of the Islamic Revolution

Iran marked the 45th anniversary of the 1979 Islamic Revolution on February 11, 2024, amidst ongoing tensions in the Middle East due to Israel's continued barbaric war on Gaza.

In Tehran, thousands of Iranians took to the streets and waved Iranian flags, chanted slogans, and carried placards bearing the traditional “Death to America” and “Death to Israel” messages. Some participants burned U.S. and Israeli flags, a familiar sight at pro-government rallies. A notable moment included a paratrooper jumping from a plane with a Palestinian flag.

The celebrations were attended by numerous high-ranking Iranian officials, including the late President Ebrahim Raisi.

Assassination of Hamas Political Leader Ismail Haniyeh

On July 31, Ismail Haniyeh, a senior Hamas leader, was killed by a "short-range projectile" fired from outside his guesthouse in Tehran, according to Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The projectile, which weighed about 7 kg (16 lbs), caused a significant explosion, resulting in Haniyeh's death and that of his bodyguard. Haniyeh was in Tehran for the inauguration of President Massoud Pezeshkian at the time.

The IRGC has accused Israel of orchestrating the attack, with alleged support from the U.S. However, this account conflicts with Western media reports suggesting that explosives were planted inside the guesthouse by Israeli operatives. Despite the differing reports, both Iran and Hamas have promised retaliation. The IRGC has stated that Israel will face "severe punishment" at a future time and place of their choosing. Hezbollah, the Iranian-backed militia and political group in Lebanon, has also vowed reprisals following the recent killing of one of their top commanders, Fuad Shukr, in an Israeli strike. 

In response, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has warned of "challenging days ahead" and assured that Israel is prepared for any potential scenarios.

The U.S. Backs Israel Against Iran’s Response To Attacks

The Middle East is edging dangerously close to full-scale war, prompting several countries to advise their citizens to evacuate Lebanon amid escalating fears of a broader regional conflict.

In response, the U.S. will send additional warships and fighter jets to the Middle East to bolster Israel’s defense against potential attacks from Iran and its allies. The Pentagon has announced that missile defense forces are on heightened alert and emphasized its "ironclad" commitment to Israel's security. The new deployments aim to fortify U.S. force protection, bolster Israel's defense, and guarantee preparedness for diverse emergencies. This includes the addition of ballistic missile defense-capable cruisers and destroyers to the region.

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