Memoirs of Akbar Hashemi – June 20, 1982

I left the [chairmanship of the] open session to Mr. [Mohammad] Mousavi Khoeiniha and did not go to Parliament. Together with the President, we went with the families of the martyrs of the 7th of Tir to visit the Imam. Mr. Khamenei spoke, while the Imam did not deliver a speech.

Afterward, in the Imam's office, with the commanders of the IRGC and the Ground Forces present, as well as the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Minister of Defense who returned today from their trip to Syria, we discussed the Lebanese war and the war with Iraq. Dr. Velayati [Minister of Foreign Affairs] and Mr. Salimi [Minister of Defense] concluded from their talks with Syria that Syria is willing to fight, but it must be assured of support from Islamic countries. They also obtained permission from Turkey so that we can transport humanitarian aid to Syria. We also discussed our future attack on Iraq and entry into Iraqi territory; they are waiting for popular forces [volunteers].

We ate lunch at the Imam's office. In the afternoon, I stayed home to study and rest. They brought the reports from Parliament and I read them; there was no major issue. The [Central] Council of the Islamic Republican Party met in my office, but I did not participate. Early in the evening, Mr. [Seyyed Jalal] Sadatian informed me that Saddam is currently delivering a speech and is set to announce his war policy on the occasion of the month of Ramadan and the Lebanese war; it is likely an announcement of readiness to withdraw from our territory and a ceasefire. It turned out that amid numerous claims, praise for the Iraqi army, and accusations that we are the aggressors, he announced that his forces will withdraw from our territory within ten days.