Memoirs of Akbar Hashemi – March 4, 1989

The governor came at half past six in the morning. They talked about the problems of the province and criticized the weak management of Shahid Foundation and defended the mayor of Isfahan. We went to the IRGC military industry exhibition and I visited a submarine they had built; It weighs 52 tons and has a capacity of 17 passengers and can stay under the sea for a week. It is interesting and important. A helicopter designed and built by the Corps was visited. That is also interesting. We also saw molding, camera making, laser, chemical and other things. They have worked hard.

From there, we went to Al-Ghadir barracks and I spoke at the morning ceremony. Because the first program was too long, I shortened this program. I visited the IRGC artillery training classes and toured the barracks by car. From there I went to the Nuclear Energy Center and visited several departments.

I went to Isfahan University of Technology at around one in the afternoon. Students and professors had a warm welcome. There was a huge gathering. I talked for an hour about Salman Rushdie's issue. From there, we went to Hesa ​​[= Iran's helicopter manufacturing company]. After lunch, rest and prayer, they told the history and current situation in a meeting. Bell Company started working before the revolution and was closed after the revolution, first it was helicopter manufacturing and now it is airplane and helicopter manufacturing. The buildings are huge, but the machines are not ready. They flew the drone [Ababil], which is controlled remotely. One returned with an umbrella and the other did not open. Sased [= Defense Industries Organization] does not agree with the construction of airplanes by the Air Force.

We went west to the eighth base. After the prayer, we participated in the graduation ceremony of the pilots of the 8th course of pilot training. I heard the report and gave the awards and spoke. I visited the F-14 pilot training simulator, and then the radar testers, which have recently become operational and which they themselves consider very important, were visited.

Council members of the Islamic Republic Party came. The issues of the day were discussed. We had dinner and an interview was done with TV about the trip to Isfahan and we flew to Tehran. I was tired I arrived home at twelve o'clock at night.