Memoirs of Akbar Hashemi – February 1, 1987

After praying and taking a bath and doing some exercise, I packed my suitcase to travel to Khuzestan. On the phone, I told Mr. [Ayatollah] Khamenei about the unfavorable situation of the front and emphasized that the withdrawal from the west of the Mahi Canal indicates the unfavorable situation of our forces. I am going to assess the situation closely.

I consulted about the Imam's order regarding the delivery of armored equipment and artillery from the army to the IRGC, in response to the request of Mr. Rezaei, who asked me and Mr. [Ayatollah] Khamenei to take action. He said that it is up to the decision of the camp and they accept the decision of the camp.

Mahdi, who is going to the front with me, went to school to say goodbye to his teachers and classmates. Patient chastity made a Quran mirror and gave alms and recited prayers for travel in the ears of Mahdi and me. We should be thankful for this blessed change in women and mothers who send their children to the field of martyrdom.

The principal of Mehdi's school told me on the phone that Mehdi is one of the outstanding students of mathematics and his brain is excellent in math problems and it is good to use him in the front, in a place where this talent can be used, and expressed his sadness that such talents are lost. I said that usually the good and privileged people step on this path.

At 7:30 AM, we left for Khuzestan by car with Mehdi, Dr. Rohani, Mr. Sanjaghi and the guards. Lunch and prayer were held in a cafe near Borujerd. Dinner was spent in the suburbs of Andimeshk. We arrived in Ahvaz at ten o'clock in the evening and settled in the golf course.

Mr. [Mohammadi] Iraqi and Sadr, Imam's representative in the IRGC and the IRGC prosecutor came. They gave a report on the state of the front and said that the morale and state of the forces need to be strengthened. In particular, Mr. Sadr, who was present at the Najaf base, said that the Khorasan province's armies, which are responsible for the war in Salehiya Island and its north, are in a difficult situation. The newly arrived forces are still not organized and the commanders are tired due to the long operation.

Today, the enemy has taken back Salehiya Island and will probably continue to Patek tomorrow. The placement of lines is not reassuring. Mr. [Mohammadi] Iraqi went to Tehran for the funeral of martyr [Yaser] Rostami [grandson of Ayatollah Montazeri]. I spoke with Mr. Rezaei on the phone. He did not express his displeasure and confirmed the return of Salihia. We were supposed to meet tomorrow.