Memories of Akbar Hashemi - December 2, 2001.

Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani’s account of the beginning of objections, rejections, and criticisms of decisions made by the Islamic Consultative Assembly, with justification based on incompatibility with the general policies of the system and the resolutions of Ayatollah Khamenei. Later, the Supreme Leader transferred his powers, under Article 110, Clause 2 of the Constitution, to the Expediency Discernment Council, which led to the formation of the High Supervisory Board.

Years later, after Hashemi, during the presidency of Seyed Mahmoud Hashemi Shahroudi over the Council, this body gained unlimited powers.

In an interview with the Center for the Documents of the Islamic Revolution regarding the Revolutionary Council, Hashemi mentioned:

During the iftar, a group of orphans under the care of the Committee for the Relief of Imam Khomeini came, and Mr. [Seyed Reza] Niri, head of the committee, reported. I gave an encouraging speech to motivate the youth to pursue education and self-development, and I expressed gratitude for the committee’s solidarity with the people of Afghanistan. Mr. Niri mentioned that public participation in the "Affection Festival" was higher than any other relief ceremony. I compared the compassionate behavior of Iranians with the brutal actions of the United States, which drops dozens of bombs daily on the Afghan people.

He continued to discuss the recent Palestinian operations and Israeli casualties, highlighting the retaliation for Israeli crimes, including the killing of a Palestinian student. He also commented on the situation in the Middle East, including developments in the Bonn Conference regarding Afghanistan.

Regarding the domestic situation, Hashemi expressed frustration about the Guardian Council rejecting another parliamentary decision for conflicting with the Supreme Leader's general policies, a new development as no draft law had been rejected for such a reason before.