On January 4, 2020, Channel 1 (Iran) and IRINN TV (Iran) aired reports and footage from Iranian President Hassan Rouhani’s visit to the family of Qasem Soleimani. He told the family that Soleimani’s service to Iran will not be forgotten and that Iran has the absolute right to avenge his blood. He said that the U.S. does not realize what a grave mistake it has made and that the consequences of this mistake will be seen by the U.S. in the coming years, but not immediately. In addition, President Rouhani praised Soleimani, saying that he had been such a great man that he was killed by the greatest terrorist in history, and not just by any terrorist. Soleimani’s daughter asked President Rouhani who will avenge her father’s blood, and Rouhani responded: “Everybody will avenge his blood. Don’t worry.”
Following are excerpts:
On Channel 1:
Reporter: The President said: "The services of the great martyr Soleimani for the security of the country and the region cannot be forgotten. America's crimes will join their greatest and most unforgettable crimes against the Iranian people. The right of the Iranian people to avenge General Soleimani's blood is appropriate and absolute."
President Rouhani: Inshallah, as the Jihad continues, when the day comes when we see America's evil hand severed from this region once and for all – that will be the day when we will have exacted real revenge upon them.
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They do not realize what a grave mistake they have made. They will not see the consequences of their mistake today, but in the coming years.
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On IRINN TV:
President Rouhani: The status of this great man was such that he was not martyred at the hand of a regular person or terrorist, but at the hand of the greatest terrorist in history.
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May God protect you. May Got give you patience. May God reward you.
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Qasem Soleimani's Daughter: Who plans to avenge the blood of my father?
President Rouhani: They will avenge it. Everybody. Everybody will avenge his blood. Don't worry.