Memoirs of Akbar Hashemi – December 9, 1989

I woke up near dawn and did not sleep again. Radio [Voice] of America broadcasted the official opinion of the [government] of the United States confirming the news of the successful test of Iraq's advanced missile. He has sent a 48-ton three-stage rocket into space, and expressed concern that such a rocket can launch a nuclear warhead.

Mohsen came. we talked Yesterday, he did not reach the airport on time and stayed behind and came in the evening. We went to Ahvaz steel complex by car. We saw warehouses, iron ore harvesting, pellet making, direct recovery, smelting and casting within a few hours and heard the managers' explanations. I thought it was interesting and came across. They have the power to produce one and a half million tons of steel.

From there, we went by helicopter to the Kavian rolling mill, which has not yet been started, but is in progress. Then we had lunch there, and after prayer and sleep, at three in the afternoon, we went to the National Steel Group and visited the Manisman pipe, wire, iron beam, and electrode units. I gave a speech to the staff.

Although all these units have been bombed several times in the war, the reconstruction has been done well, but they have technical problems in managing some parts. They do not have a labor problem. Everywhere we were faced with passionate feelings of the workers and like many factories, there were not many letters and demands. In the evening, we reached the headquarters by helicopter.

After the Maghrib prayer, the commanders of the army and the IRGC came and reported on the situation of the fronts and lines and stated the needs. The families of the martyrs came. The children performed songs and speeches and I spoke for them. [Mr. Mohsen Mirdamadi] the governor [of Khuzestan] came and said that despite the fact that he is involved with Imam Juma of Ahvaz and the leadership has approved Imam Juma, it is not advisable for him to remain in charge of the governorship. The work should be completed, or the differences should be resolved, or he should resign. I agreed to do it together.

A group of scholars and imams came on Friday. I talked to them about the country's policies and answered their questions. We ate dinner together. I wrote my memories. Mr. [Mousavi] Jazayeri came to Imam Juma [Ahvaz] and asked to solve the problem of the governorate. I showered and slept.