Memoirs of Akbar Hashemi – September 2, 1986

I came to the parliament early. Mr. Mohsen Rezaei informed from the southern front that the fighters have managed to capture the Al-Amiya wharf in Iraq. About a hundred people have been captured. Iraqi planes attacked and one of them was shot down. He wanted to explain the importance of work to the people.

The commander of the naval force informed that they have inspected a Soviet ship carrying ammunition and missiles, which appears to be going to Kuwait, but most likely belongs to Iraq. I told Mr. [Sheikh Hassan] Saneyi on the phone that he should ask the Imam. The imam did not give an explicit opinion and only said that we can't get along with the Soviet Union.

I consulted with the Prime Minister. It was decided to summon the Soviet ambassador and discuss the matter with the Russians themselves. I told the navy to keep the ship until the final decision is known.

The first meeting was after the closing of the parliament. In the public meeting that was held on time, I spoke about the war and the Imam's recent advice before the order. Two representatives of the opposition line of Resalat [newspaper] took advantage of the situation and attacked the Resalats and the opponents of the government. Mr. [Ahmad] Azri Qomi [owner of Risalat daily] asked for time to answer.

Mr. [Alireza] Moiri, the political deputy of the prime minister, came and consulted about what he wanted to say to the Soviet ambassador. I came to my office. Mr. [Ahmed] Janati came and complained about the transfer of Qom Friday prayer sermons from channel one to channel two of TV. Ahmad Agha said on the phone that it is good to confiscate the ammunition of the Soviet ship. I told them to ask permission from the imam. Finally, they did not give a clear opinion. In the afternoon, the Soviet ambassador replied that the Soviet leaders are determined to continue the ship's journey and have told the same thing to our ambassador in Russia. We sent a message to the Soviet Foreign Ministry through our agent in Russia. In the evening, in consultation with the Prime Minister and Mr. Mousavi Ardabili, we came to the same conclusion that this work should not lead to a conflict with the Soviet. For now, we have a wait-and-see policy.

In the afternoon, Mr. Saeed al-Zhakrin came for the work of the Majlis and holding a seminar commemorating the Martyr of Modares. Mr. Riyazi came from Denmark to advise on the new purchase of the IRGC; It is a little more expensive, but they are in a hurry. It was decided to get a discount as much as possible.

In the evening, Mr. [Ali Asghar] Hijazi, the deputy of Mr. Ray Shahri, came and complained about the IRGC's performance abroad. They differ. Regarding the situation in Afghanistan, he also said that a few days ago, our officers were attacked in Kabul.

I participated in the meeting of the Supreme Council of the Cultural Revolution. The principles of part-time higher education were approved and a few other things were done. I stayed in the parliament at night to do war work. Karbala 3 operation started tonight.