FACT CHECK: No, Iranian General Didn’t Flee To Israel

April 6th, 2025
The flag of Iran flutters in the wind outside of the IAEA headquarters during the International Atomic Energy Agency IAEA's Board of Governors meeting at the agency's headquarters in Vienna, Austria, on November 20, 2024. Western countries on November 20, 2024 formally submitted a new resolution critical of Iran at the International Atomic Energy Agency ahead of its board meeting, diplomatic sources said. (Photo by JOE KLAMAR/AFP via Getty Images)

A post shared on Facebook claims an Iranian general fled to Israel.
 

Verdict: False

There is no evidence for this claim.

Fact Check:

Social media users are claiming that Iranian Gen. Esmail Qaani was seen in Israel.

“Breaking: Iran’s IRGC Quds Force commander Gen. Esmail Qaani is confirmed safe in Israel It can now be revealed that he was an Israeli asset, providing intelligence that led to elimination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, and Hezbollah leaders Nasrallah and Safieddine,” reads one user’s post. 

This claim is false. No media outlets have reported that Qaani has defected to Israel. The Israel Defense Forces nor any Israeli government entity has confirmed that Qaani provided intelligence. (RELATED: No, Harvard Study Did Not Confirm Fluoride Lowers Children’s IQ)

Misbar also debunked this claim. The outlet reported that while Qaani was under investigation in connection to Nasrallah’s death, he was seen at “rallies commemorating the anniversary of the Islamic Revolution” in February 2025.

Elias Atienza

Senior Reporter