Memoirs of Akbar Hashemi – February 16, 1984

We woke up at five in the morning with an alarm clock. Efat left for the airport with her sister Ezra Khanum to travel to Syria. I also went to the assembly after praying and sending the children to school. I got the reports from the front. It turned out that at twelve o'clock last night, the first stage of Wal-Fajr 5 operation started in Changuleh and it was successful, but because the result was not very clear, I did not say anything before the order in the parliament. I just offered my condolences on the death of Hazrat Zahra (PBUH). I left the meeting to Mr. [Mousavi] Khoiniha and came to my office to follow the situation of the front. I read the reports; We did not find it expedient to announce the operation.

In the afternoon, Mr. Emami Kashani came to the office and consulted about the contents of the Friday prayer - where they are going to deliver a sermon. I gave comments about war and war politics. They usually consult in these cases. Mr. [Mohammed] Kiavash [Ahwaz representative] came and asked for help for the problem of the governor of Abadan, who is under investigation for allegedly collaborating with the Communist League. The representatives of Abadan insisted that the shelling of Iraqi cities should not be stopped even though their city is heavily under enemy fire. Mr. Bahari and Mr. Velizadeh came and consulted about the upcoming elections in Sari.

Messrs. Masih Mohajeri and Mohammad Reza Beheshti [members of the Central Council of the Islamic Republic Party] came. They complained about the lack of prosperity of the party and the strengthening of the line against them in the party, and they were upset that the young and radical forces were being left out, and there were even whispers of withdrawal. It was decided to talk about this later. In addition, I also criticized Mr. Mohajeri [the editor of the Islamic Republic newspaper] for applying his personal opinions in the newspaper and causing displeasure to the Beit Imam and the Beit Agha Montazeri. He was upset. At night, we had a meeting in the president's office for future operations. The army is not ready, but the IRGC is ready. It was decided to take a division from the Corps and give it to the army and reduce the responsibility of the army on the land of the region so that they can act on time. It was decided that they will study and answer by tomorrow night. I went to the assembly at night.