Qasem Soleimani, the former commander of Iran’s Quds Force, died on January 3, 2020 at the age of 62. Soleimani had served in the Iranian military since shortly after the Islamic Revolution of 1979. He was appointed commander of the Quds Force in 1998, and is credited with aiding in the protection of Iran’s interests and expanding its influence throughout the Middle East. Soleimani was considered a national hero in Iran, and was widely respected by other governments in the region as well. He was known for his dedication to preserving the power of Iran, and his legacy will live on in many countries across the Middle East. He is survived by his wife, Fahimah, four children, Arsala, Astina, Mohammad, and Zahra, and his extended Iranian family. He will be deeply missed.