Memoirs of Akbar Hashemi – January 31, 1987

After the prayer, Mr. Rezaei informed from the front that last night the enemy crossed the Jozi canal next to the Mahi canal at the location of Lashkar al-Ghadir and pushed our forces back. I said it is very dangerous, take it seriously and take it back. I have been emphasizing for some time, this point is in danger and I have given priority here.

By eight o'clock, I did the work of the parliament that I had taken home. I came to the parliament at half past eight. I read the reports. At nine o'clock in the morning, it was time to meet with the oil minister, so I canceled it and instead we had a meeting with the commander of the ground forces, Dr. Rouhani, Rafiq Dost, Rashid, Bagheri and Sanjaghi about the assistance of the army's combat forces and artillery to the southern front.

Mr. Hosni Saadi resisted and was against and he wants to use his forces in the west in other places besides Naft Shahr - which was unsuccessful. The commanders of the IRGC insist on helping the Karbala Panj operation. We gave 48 hours for Saadi to bring his plans to the West so that we can make a decision. It was decided that the next meeting will be in the south.

Mr. Rezaei got permission to launch two missiles at Baghdad. Mr. Sayad came. He had brought a plan that five brigades of army forces would come and open a new axis next to Karbala operation. He wants to be entrusted with the responsibility and implicitly says that the existing commanders of the ground forces cannot do this. I told Mr. [Ayatollah] Khamenei to present him as well.

Imam Juma of Bakhtran [Kermanshah] came. He talked about the problems of the bombing of the West and the displacement of people and asked for help to strengthen the defense. The brothers of Mr. [Ahmed] Metuslian, who were kidnapped with our agent in Lebanon some time ago, and after four years there is still no news about them, came and asked for help to find a trace of them and complained about the lack of attention. I mentioned our efforts in putting pressure on the Falanges and the Westerners. It was designed to increase advertising.

The workers came to resolve the dispute between my office and public relations. Mr. Khazai, [Fakhreddin] Anwar and [Mohammed] Beheshti came. They gave a report on the progress of the film industry and the training of Islamic artists after the revolution and demanded more attention to the film and participation in the Fajr Festival.

Mr. Aghazadeh came. He talked about the increase in oil exports and Iraq's recent pressure on ships and the destruction of the Razi Institute in Mahshahr and expressed cooperation in the plan to get facilities from America for the war.

In the evening Mr. Rafiq Dost reported that our forces have retreated from the south of Mahi Canal. I was very upset. I asked the camp, which Mr. Shamkhani confirmed. I said that twenty days of Jihad were wasted. I have emphasized to them many times that they should prioritize here. We agreed that I will go to the region tomorrow to monitor the affairs more.

Mr. Kharazi announced that Iraq has announced an extraordinary plan. Mr. [Mohammed Javad] Larijani came in the evening. He gave the report of his trip to Saudi Arabia and expressed the willingness of this country to cooperate in the future affairs of Iraq. I said their movements are suspicious. Handle with caution. They still help Iraq. Brother Mahmoud and our new ambassador in Lebanon came to say goodbye and consult.

Mr. [Ali] Younisi came. He said the problems of the judicial organization of the armed forces and the protection of army information. He wants more cooperation from the Ministry of Information and the Supreme Judicial Council. Mahdi also wanted to come with me to participate in the war. His mother also agreed. He waits; May God grant complete patience so that the reward is not reduced.