Memoirs of Akbar Hashemi – August 2, 1987

I came to the parliament on time. In the reports, the disaster in Mecca is at the top of the news and America's cowardice in the Persian Gulf is second.

The headquarters of Khatam camp had a meeting. The situation in the Persian Gulf was examined and decisions were made. The march of people across the country was to protest the crimes of the Saudis against the Hajj and they came in front of the Majlis in Tehran. The crowd was very large and the officials had also come. I gave a detailed speech.

After the ceremony, Mr. Khamenei and Mr. Mousavi Ardabili came to my office and the topic of discussion was the quality of dealing with Saudis and Americans. In the evening, I did a detailed interview with the German newspaper Die Welt. Mr. [Ali Asghar] Pourmohammadi, the broadcast manager of the social group of Amed Radio. He reported and consulted and criticized Ashikh Mohammad [Hashemian]'s differences in Rafsanjan with [his father] Ashikh Abbas Pourmohammadi.

A group of [members] of the Central Council of Construction Jihad came. They complain about the rejection of the bill for the integration of the Ministry of Agriculture in Jihad. I consoled them and promised to defend Jihad. Today, we increased the defense operation of the army from Mimak, to cheer up the people who have been affected by the tragedy of Makkah, and it was effective.

At night, the heads of state had a meeting in the office of Ayatollah Khamenei. There was a discussion about our reaction to the crime of the Saudis against the Iranian pilgrims. It was decided that it would not lead to war and anti-Saudi propaganda. I arrived home late at night.