Iran To Air Saintly TV Series On IRGC's Qasem Soleimani

Iranian state television is to broadcast a series on the life of former IRGC Quds Force Commander Qasem Soleimani, portraying him as an almost saintly figure.

The series takes an unconventional route by abstaining from assigning an actor to play Soleimani's role, the first instance where an ordinary person is set to be portrayed in a manner reminiscent of a holy figure, much like revered and saintly figures including Shia Imams and Prophet Muhammad.

Mojtaba Amini, the series producer stated, "No one will assume the role of Soleimani. In numerous films we've produced, we crafted various heroes whom the audience embraced, liked, and followed. However, in productions like 'Terror', the audience is already acquainted with the hero."

Qasem Soleimani was killed in a US drone strike near Baghdad International Airport on January 3, 2020, under the directive of then-President Donald Trump.

Soleimani held a pivotal role in Iran's external military and intelligence operations, overseeing support for militant proxy forces, including Hezbollah and Iraqi Shiite militias engaged in hostilities against US forces in the region.

Following Soleimani's death, an Iranian Revolutionary Guard member faced charges of orchestrating a plot to assassinate John Bolton, the former US National Security Advisor, as a reprisal for the IRGC commander's killing. Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo was also identified as a potential target within the same conspiracy.