Memoirs of Akbar Hashemi – March 7, 1985

After morning prayer, I saw the reports. Iraq fired eight rockets at Dezful last night, killing five people, wounding around seventy and destroying many houses. It seems that the reason for the few casualties was the evacuation of the city.

I spoke about this in the public meeting [of the Islamic Council] before the order. The representatives are very upset and strongly demand the rain rockets of Baghdad. I talked with the president about reciprocating. Human considerations as well as hope for the results of future decisive operations are reasons for refraining from similar confrontations.

In the evening, I had a meeting with [Mr. Ali Akbar Mohtashmipour] our ambassador in Syria. He explained the situation in Lebanon. I told him to ask Mr. Hafez Assad [President of Syria] for a number of Scud missiles.

The Islamic community of academics came. They gave a report and I spoke for them. They wanted to strengthen the management of universities and I also recommended cooperation with the revolutionary forces.

Mr. Hamedani, a student, came. He consulted about the dispute that has arisen with Mr. Fouad Karimi as a result of Mr. Karimi's criticism and his complaint; I said it is better to make peace.

Mr. Khansari, Iran's ambassador to Libya, came. About taking P.M.P. bridges. He said by Libya and the air defense system and other issues. I gave them a mission about getting more missiles. He is an active ambassador. Reports say that Iraq bombarded Abazar barracks, which resulted in more than a hundred martyrs and hundreds of wounded. I came home at night.

I got a call from the prime minister's office around midnight, I woke up; They said that five rockets were fired at the city of Masjid Suleiman.