...But shortly before, I had told him that the American media & publications were focusing on him, that his photo was on the front pages, and that he was presented as “the irreplaceable General”. This was media and political preparation for his assassination. Of course, the Hajj Qassem laughed, and replied that he hoped so, asking me to pray for his martyrdom. When we were talking about Kerman’s failed attack, I used to say to him, “Praise be to God, He saved you”, but he replied that he had lost an opportunity (to find martyrdom). This was his way of seeing things.