Memoirs of Akbar Hashemi – November 30, 1992

After praying and reading reports and having breakfast, we flew to Bafaq by helicopter at quarter past seven. We landed at Se Chahoun iron ore mine. Managers explained. It has 130 million tons of reserves, which will be transferred to the Chughart mine for concentration.

We went to Chugart mine. Managers explained. At the moment, only the slag and grain are processed, and that part, which is purer and does not contain phosphorus, is sent to Isfahan Iron Smelter. In order to establish a concentration factory for the rest and the product of three wells. We visited the stone crusher and the loading and unloading mill. The transportation situation has improved and is moving forward. A good reserve has been accumulated in Isfahan. I gave a short speech to the staff.

We drove to Bafagh city by car. It is ten kilometers away. The people of the city had a very warm welcome. There was a huge crowd in the stadium. [Mr. Seyyed Javad Soleimani], Imam Juma Khair Moghaddam said. I also spoke and gave a favorable answer to their demands, including the order of the Ministry of Mines and Metals for the construction of the city belt. They requested that the zinc factory, which is supposed to be built closer, be moved to Baft. I said to check. I wanted to go to Bahabad, but I didn't have the chance. I also spoke with the governor, the mayor and the head of education.

We flew from the city of Shahr to Abragu. We were on the road for an hour and a half, I was very tired. On the way, the governor and Mr. Sadoughi explained about the crossing points. It was mainly a desert and sometimes a village. One hour in the afternoon, we landed in the Abraqou section. The people gave a warm welcome. Although they were delayed for several hours yesterday.

In the stadium, the crowd was above expectations. The children sang a beautiful song in my praise and welcome. The host of the ceremony usually gave a welcome poem and gave a eulogy. They are usually self-evident or have the nature of poets. On the way, they used to say welcome with poems. They wanted to become a city.

[Mr. Seyed Ibrahim Hosseini], Imam Juma gave a warm speech. I also spoke in detail. Prayers and lunch were held at the place of administration. We visited the cypress tree, which was claimed to be four thousand years old, or two thousand years old. They said that Soviet experts had come and determined its lifespan.

We flew to Mehriz. We landed in Mehriz with a quarter of an hour left. People had gathered in Shahr Boulevard. We landed next to the community. They had a huge community. [Mr. Ali Burhan], Friday Imam welcomed. I spoke briefly. Because the helicopter could not fly after sunset and we had to go to Taft, we flew to Taft at half past four. It was ten minutes away.

We landed next to the community of Taft people. [Mr. Sheikh Javad Hassan Ali], Friday imam spoke. read from He is a good and simple person. I also spoke briefly. We immediately drove to Yazd airport.

On the way, a group of Zoroastrian women were waiting with esfand and flowers. I stopped and thanked him. I did a radio and television interview at the airport and evaluated the trip. We flew to Tehran. We had dinner on the plane. Mr. Dr. [Syed Abbas] Paknejad complained about his brother's dismissal from his position in the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance. I arrived home at nine o'clock at night. They brought newspapers and reports. I read and slept.