Following the release of American hostages from Iran, President Ronald “Reagan warned of ‘swift and effective retribution’ for future acts of terrorism, but rejected any further response toward Iran. ‘I’m not thinking of revenge,’ he said at his first presidential news conference on January 29, 1981. ‘What good would revenge do? And what form would it take? I don’t think revenge is worthy of us.’ ”
– Stephen F. Hayes, Cheney, Page 158