Akbar Hashemi's Memoirs - November 2, 1999 - Mohsen Rezaei Reports Supreme Leader's Office Concerns Over Abdullah Nouri's Statements in Special Clerical Court

• Mohsen Rezaei reported concerns from the Supreme Leader's office regarding Sheikh Abdullah Nouri's outspoken remarks during his trial.
• Meetings with Mahmoud Eslamians, CEO of Mobarakeh Steel Company, and Mahmoud Vaezi, founder of the Moderation and Development Party, focused on political and economic discussions.
• Several political groups urged Hashemi to participate in the upcoming parliamentary elections.
• The Islamic Labour Party members, led by the late Abolqasem Sarhadi Zadeh, also encouraged Hashemi to run for parliament.

Mr. [Mohsen] Rezaei, [Secretary of the Expediency Discernment Council], came and mentioned that during his visit to the Supreme Leader's office, they expressed dissatisfaction with [Abdullah] Nouri's statements during his trial. His remarks were considered inappropriate for questioning the authority of the Supreme Leader.

Mr. [Mahmoud] Eslamians, CEO of Esfahan Steel, visited and provided a report on the factory's current situation. He stated that the number of industrial steel products has increased, and several development projects are underway.

Mr. [Mahmoud] Vaezi, [Deputy Minister of Economic Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs], also came and discussed the ongoing meetings concerning the activation of their intended party. He said there has been no conclusive decision, and recent discussions suggest forming a political front instead of a party. Dr. [Hassan] Rouhani has expressed readiness to cooperate if a front is established.

In the afternoon, several leaders of political groups aligned with the [Combatant Clergy Association] came to discuss reducing tensions and fostering unity following the Leader's recent speech. I told them that the disputes are factional and power-driven, with ideology and goals serving as mere excuses. They requested that I, like in the past, step back into the political arena to help bring groups together. Representatives from the Islamic Coalition, the Devotees Front, the Engineers' Society, and the Physicians' Society were present.

Members of the Islamic Labour Party also came, with Mr. [Abolqasem] Sarhadi Zadeh reporting and expressing gratitude for my support of the working class. They requested my participation in the upcoming elections. I spoke about the importance of work, labor, job creation, economic prosperity, education, and human dignity.