Akbar Hashemi's Memoirs – September 15, 2001 - Consultative meeting between Masih Mohajeri and Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, and the report of the arrest of his brother Hadi Mohajeri

• Consultative meeting between Masih Mohajeri and Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, and the report of the arrest of his brother Hadi Mohajeri, the former head of the Prime Minister’s office and head of Mohammad Reza Aref’s office (First Vice President) by the Ministry of Intelligence. (Engineer Hadi Mohajeri, who had been arrested based on a report from the Ministry of Intelligence due to ambiguities in a production project, was later acquitted of all charges.)
• Report from Ali Hosseini on the situation in Kuwait.
• Consultative meeting with Ali Akbar Velayati regarding international relations.

Full Daily Note:

Mr. Masih Mohajeri, [Social Advisor to the President and Chief Editor of the Islamic Republic newspaper], came. We discussed the situation in America and the likelihood of retaliatory attacks by America on Afghanistan or other countries, including Iran, and Pakistan’s dilemma in cooperating with or rejecting America. It was mentioned that the most foolish assumption for America would be to engage with Afghanistan because missile or aerial attacks would not have much impact on Afghanistan since they have nothing to lose, and human losses are commonplace for Afghans. In the civil war, they experience many casualties daily, and if [America] decides to occupy Afghan territory, it will face a fate worse than the Soviet Union, and the media campaign will eventually backfire. An attack on other countries like Iraq or Iran would also pose other challenges.

He mentioned that the Ministry of Intelligence had arrested [his brother], the head of the First Vice President’s office and a former colleague of Engineer [Mir Hossein] Mousavi, and they claim he extracted gold from sludge or waste in a furnace, as well as other valuable materials like titanium, and didn’t hand it over. However, he had been negotiating with the Ministry of Industries for the sale, and it wasn’t a personal matter. He also expressed dissatisfaction with the Judiciary, stating that they have fueled the rumors and are not offering help. The Ministry of Intelligence has suggested that the arrest should not continue.

Mr. Ali Hosseini came and talked about the situation in Kuwait and the internal challenges. Dr. [Ali Akbar] Velayati, [Advisor to the Leader on International Affairs], came, and we discussed the American issues [September 11 attacks], emphasizing that these events revealed that the future battle would be between revolutionary and devoted forces against the imperialist powers. These forces have effective means at their disposal. The blow inflicted by a few self-sacrificing individuals on the heart of America’s economy, security, and politics is as significant as a full-scale war. It has exposed the vulnerability of imperialism and opened a new path for the Mujahideen. This is why there seems to be an agreement among world powers to suppress such forces, referred to as fundamentalism, and from this perspective, Iran is not entirely safe either, even though their apparent target is bin Laden and the Taliban.

There are two options before them: either attack Afghanistan or other Islamic countries, especially Iran and Iraq. Europeans do not wish to engage with Islamic countries and prefer to limit it to bin Laden. Currently, voices of opposition in the form of advice are being heard. Even in America, there is concern about the U.S. becoming entangled in a war with Muslims. If Pakistan collaborates with America, it will face immense pressure from Taliban supporters, scholars, and parties. If America backs down, it will face problems with American public opinion, which is highly inflamed, and this will be seen as a sign of fear and weakness, encouraging further attacks. Overall, America’s situation is quite serious and deep.

Another point is that more people are gradually coming to believe that the Zionists are behind these attacks, particularly due to Israel’s delight and its use of the heightened atmosphere to suppress the Palestinians. America has claimed that bin Laden is the main culprit behind the attacks. All the individuals who participated in the operation and were killed lived in America, and they even received flight training there, although they are Arabs. This Arab identity has led to heavy media pressure on Muslims and Arabs in the West.

It is said that from Monday, America’s situation will return to normal, but it seems unlikely they will be able to overcome their security issues. Currently, they claim there are five thousand missing, who are likely trapped under the rubble, and rain has made the wreckage heavier. The U.S. Congress has granted the government $40 billion for war and rebuilding efforts, and [George W.] Bush, [President of the United States], has declared a state of war.

Some media outlets reported today that two of the pilots involved in the [September 11] attacks had previously fought for the U.S. military during the Vietnam War. If true, it is significant and strengthens the theory that the roots of the issue lie within America itself.

Western circles have welcomed Iran’s stance of sympathy with the American victims and are anticipating a change in U.S. policy toward Iran, especially considering the removal of the “Death to America” slogan in yesterday’s Friday prayers, a minute of silence before the Iran-Bahrain soccer match in Azadi Stadium, and a gathering of youth in a ceremony for them in one of Tehran’s squares. Dr. [Ali Akbar] Velayati, [Advisor to the Leader on International Affairs], also believed that this has been taken to an extreme, which could lead to such interpretations.

A report mentioned that U.S. warplanes have been patrolling near Gwadar, Pakistan. If true, this is a prelude to an attack on Afghanistan. Today, it was announced that Ahmad Shah Massoud, [Defense Minister of the Mujahideen government], has passed away, and his assassination, coinciding with the U.S. operations, is significant, considering the anticipated U.S. attack on Afghanistan.

Dr. Velayati mentioned that the vast resources of the Salafists, in terms of financial support, zeal, and human forces, provide the backbone of bin Laden’s and the Chechens' movements. Israel has besieged Gaza, and the meeting between Shimon Peres and [Yasser] Arafat was canceled on the orders of [Ariel] Sharon, [Prime Minister of Israel]