In brief
The Quds Force is an elite division of Iran’s military, significantly impacting Tehran's covert operations, especially regarding its interactions with Israel and neighboring nations.
The Quds Force, a strategic arm of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, operates primarily in foreign military and political arenas, significantly shaping the Middle East dynamics. Recent military actions brought new attention to this shadowy entity; on June 16, 2025, the Israeli military claimed to have struck a Quds Force command center in Tehran, representing a potential shift in the ongoing Israel-Iran tensions.This elite unit remains committed to strengthening Iran's regional influence through its support of what it depicts as the "axis of resistance," consisting of diverse groups that oppose both Israel and U.S. interests. Answerable directly to Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the Quds Force has historically trained, funded, and armed various militias, including Hezbollah in Lebanon, Hamas in Gaza, and Shiite militias in Iraq, alongside the Houthis in Yemen.These affiliations have allowed Iran to exercise considerable influence, securing alliances that bolster regimes such as that of Bashar al-Assad in Syria. The Quds Force's engagement in regional conflicts serves not only as a means of furthering Iran's interests but also as a tactical effort to establish a robust defense against perceived threats, particularly from Israel.As the conflict between Iran and Israel escalates, the significance of the Quds Force is poised to intensify, marking it as a pivotal player in the theater of regional power struggles.
