Memoirs of Akbar Hashemi – July 13, 1981

I went to the Majlis with a slight delay. The discussion on the details of the budget bill began, and we made good progress. We had sessions in the morning and afternoon.

In the afternoon, I attended a meeting of the Supreme Defense Council at the Joint Staff headquarters. Messrs. Engineer [Mohammad] Gharazi and Engineer Sardari gave an account of the plans for using water against the enemy. Some relatively interesting work has been done. The commanders of the 81st, 92nd, 16th, 21st, and 77th Ground Forces divisions attended the meeting. While mentioning the shortage of 155mm artillery ammunition and some other ammunition and weapons, they described their plans for the near future on the fronts. There is not enough activity on the southern fronts, even though, by the commanders’ own admission, the enemy is weak and ready to retreat. Their excuses are the shortage of ammunition and the heat. But since several divisions promised to launch an offensive, the Council decided to wait for this imminent movement and took no action for the time being. However, if the necessary activity is not seen, we will have to think of something. Messrs. [Valiollah] Fallahi and [Javad] Fakouri are also strongly in favor of a rapid offensive. They consider the Ground Forces responsible for the delay. The future will reveal the truth.

Reports from security officials indicated progress in suppressing the domestic counterrevolution and arresting its agents. Bani-Sadr’s whereabouts have also been traced through the arrest of his brother. This may lead to his arrest. Some believe that he is in the custody of the Mojahedin-e Khalq. We spoke with Mohsen at night, and it was decided that he would come to Iran after his examination. Late at night, Mrs. Martyr Beheshti came and asked for help in resolving administrative problems concerning the exchange of her residence.

I thought for a while about the difficulties. The patience, confidence, and hope of myself and my companions caught my attention. I thought that, with all these dangers on the northern, western, and southern fronts; the infiltration and harassment by the counterrevolution; the loss of some important members of the leadership; the shortages caused by the Revolution; the hostility of imperialism and its domestic agents; Mr. Khamenei’s condition; the Imam’s heart ailment and the fragility of his health; and the deep divisions, nothing but divine grace, guidance, and the bestowal of tranquility and patience—divine power—could have brought about this situation. Before going to sleep, I performed a prostration of gratitude and prayed for the continuation of these qualities, which are the capital for perseverance, patience, tranquility, and hope.