The Role of Iran's Quds Force in the Middle East Conflict

The Quds Force is a prominent and secretive element of Iran’s military, known for its pivotal involvement in covert activities throughout the Middle East. This elite unit, part of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, is primarily responsible for managing Iran’s foreign operations and providing support to various proxy groups in the region. The name "Quds" translates to "Jerusalem" in Arabic, symbolizing the unit's role in the context of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Directly accountable to Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the Quds Force has been crucial in supporting what Iran refers to as the “axis of resistance,” which includes a network of militia and political factions that challenge both Israel and the United States.

Historically, the Quds Force has been involved in training, arming, and financing groups such as Hezbollah in Lebanon, Hamas in Gaza, Shiite militias in Iraq, and the Houthis in Yemen. Before recent Israeli military actions diminished its influence, the Quds Force was pivotal in extending Iran’s reach throughout the Middle East. This influence has allowed Iran to shape regional political dynamics to its advantage, stabilizing allies like the Assad regime in Syria and fortifying Hezbollah as a defensive buffer against Israel along its northern border in Lebanon.