Qassem Soleimani's 'Appreciation' Letter to Rouhani: 'I Kiss Your Hand'

Qassem Soleimani, the commander of the Quds Force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, in a letter to President Hassan Rouhani, published on Wednesday, July 4, praised his recent statements regarding oil exports from the region and Israel as 'very valuable remarks' and expressed his 'appreciation' for him. The official news agency of the Islamic Republic, IRNA, reports that Soleimani wrote in this letter: 'This is the same Dr. Rouhani that we knew and should know.' He stated: 'What was reflected from your statements in the media, indicating that if the oil of the Islamic Republic of Iran is not exported, there is no guarantee for the export of oil from the entire region, and the very valuable remarks you made regarding the Islamic Republic's position towards the Zionist regime, are a source of pride and honor.' Soleimani's reference in this letter is to Rouhani's recent comments about the U.S. government's threat to stop oil exports to the Islamic Republic. The Iranian President, in a meeting with a group of Iranians residing in Switzerland, warned that 'if you can, do it and see the result.' On July 2, Rouhani said in Switzerland: 'The Americans have claimed that they want to completely stop Iran's oil exports. They do not understand the meaning of this statement, as it makes no sense for Iran's oil to not be exported while the region's oil is exported.' In response to these remarks, Soleimani concluded his letter by saying: 'I kiss your hand for making these timely, wise, and correct statements, and we are at your service for any policy that is in the interest of the Islamic system.' This is the first time that a senior commander in the IRGC has expressed such loyalty in an official letter to the President. Such statements from Iranian military officials have also been heard in several other instances recently. The military officials' support for the government has coincided with increasing economic pressure on the people and the beginning of widespread protests in the country. Last week, following widespread backlash against a negative comment about Rouhani's government, a senior advisor to Ayatollah Khamenei made a clear retreat and called for support for the government. Yahya Rahim Safavi, who is close to the Supreme Leader, stated: 'Sometimes it seems that if there is no government, the country would be better managed.' Three days later, he called for 'helping the respected government and other branches in solving economic problems and issues' and said: 'It is our duty to strive to neutralize the enemy's plans in the fields of economic warfare and psychological operations through coordination and synergy and by helping the respected government and other branches in solving economic problems and issues.' A day later, the commander of the Khatam al-Anbiya Construction Headquarters emphasized 'unity and consensus' in a speech in the presence of Hassan Rouhani. He said: 'As you mentioned yesterday in the gathering of senior government managers, with unity and consensus, we can emerge from the current situation with dignity, and be assured that the Khatam al-Anbiya Construction Headquarters will be with you.' The support from the IRGC commanders comes at a time when the dollar and gold coin prices have sharply increased in recent days, and the shadow of U.S. sanctions on the Iranian economy has led to currency restrictions and import limitations by Rouhani's government.