Memoirs of Akbar Hashemi – December 10, 1986

At seven o'clock in the morning, we got off the train in Andimeshk and drove to Ahvaz by car. Due to the possibility of Iraqi planes attacking the train, it was not right to be on the train during the day.

We listened to Seyed Mehdi's interview on the car radio. He said some things about his house, schools and political library that was not in favor of Ayatollah Montazeri. These episodes were not supposed to be broadcast.

We arrived in Ahvaz at half past nine in the morning and settled in the golf course. Until noon, we discussed the reports about the forces participating in future operations and the situation of relief and treatment and field hospitals. Mr. [Hussein] Alayi [commander of IRGC Naval Forces] also told about the readiness of the Sahil-Daria missile launch site and it was decided to hit Al-Bakr and Umm Al-Qasr wharfs and ships.

In the evening, we had a meeting to hear the report of the commanders of the operating armies. The meeting lasted until 11:30 in the night and then the artillery was discussed until 12:00. The IRGC expects more cannons to be delivered to it from the army. I got the news at twelve o'clock and slept.

During the day, red status was announced several times and Ahvaz radio announced an abnormal situation and anti-aircraft artillery worked. This situation has become normal for the people of Ahvaz.

Dr. Rouhani went to the war support headquarters to take care of defense matters. The report of the operation maneuver of the IRGC fighters is exciting and promising. More than 200 battalions of troops from about 25 army units are participating in the operation. In terms of power transmission and heavy transportation facilities, they are in trouble. At the end of the meeting, I gave a short speech to the army commanders.