Reflective Memoirs of Hashemi

Reflective Memoirs of Hashemi:

September 25, 2003: In the evening, Mr. Khatami came. We reached a consensus regarding nuclear issues, and I advised him not to consider resigning and to continue his work!

October 1, 2003: In a consultative meeting, the Leader agreed to implement the Additional Protocol under certain conditions, but he opposed the suspension of enrichment, which is the demand of Europe, the United States, and Russia. Messrs. Rouhani, Kharrazi, and Khatami called for a temporary suspension.

October 12, 2003: Dr. Rouhani came early in the evening. He said: ElBaradei has issued threats, and the Europeans are still not ready to send anyone for negotiations. The cabinet is also frightened and has increased the pressure on Mr. Khatami for us to accept; the members of Parliament have also prepared a letter asking Mr. Khatami to accept. The Leader has also moved forward and accepted that we temporarily suspend enrichment.

October 21, 2003: In exchange for accepting the confirmation of enjoying peaceful nuclear benefits, Iran has agreed to sign the Additional Protocol and temporarily suspend enrichment!

October 26, 2003: At noon, the Board of Directors of the Assembly of Experts held a meeting in my office. They were also upset about the decision-making process regarding the Protocol and the suspension of enrichment, believing that the authority of the system has been undermined—especially since it contradicts the Leader's statements in recent months. They wondered: How has the Leader gone back on his words? I said: He is under pressure from all sides!

October 28, 2003: The Leader has only agreed to delay the injection of uranium gas and has stated that nothing else should be suspended, but Mr. Rouhani wants more than this!

November 2, 2003: In the evening, managers and officials were gathered for the Leader's Iftar program. The Leader said: "So far, we have acted correctly, but to neutralize the American conspiracy aimed at creating a consensus against Iran, we accepted that everything be transparent; however, we are determined regarding the production of the fuel cycle and will not back down." But Mr. Khatami said: "We will stop fuel production," and these two statements turned out to be inconsistent!

February 17, 2004: I was the Leader's guest tonight. We also discussed nuclear issues. He is determined not to surrender regarding the fuel cycle and to resist, even if it leads to a confrontation!

May 25, 2004: I was the Leader's guest tonight. He asked me to agree to the proposal of lifting the suspension in tomorrow's consultative meeting on nuclear issues. I said: It is better not to rush; we should give Dr. Rouhani and the government another opportunity to prevent a harsh reaction from the West!

May 26, 2004: The Leader's view was that we should lift the suspension if the case is not closed, but with the explanations provided by Dr. Rouhani, the majority of the meeting did not agree!

July 7, 2004: The United States and Israel have publicly threatened Iran regarding nuclear issues, and the Leader stated in Hamedan that for a counter-strike, we will not be limited to a specific location!

July 28, 2004: Austrian officials have officially informed us that Israel intends to attack Iran's nuclear facilities!

August 10, 2004: I was the Leader's guest tonight. We negotiated regarding nuclear issues. The decision was made to begin enrichment.

September 7, 2004: The Leader is dissatisfied with the decision of the consultative meeting regarding the temporary halt of assembly and nuclear parts manufacturing. However, I said: It is a good and appropriate decision!

September 26, 2004: In the evening at the Leader's office, there was a discussion on nuclear issues. Ultimately, they concluded not to start the gas injection until the next IAEA meeting because Rouhani says that if gas injection does not start, there is a possibility for an agreement. The Leader called the preservation of nuclear technology a "red line"—he even said that if one day the country's officials reach the conclusion to stop it, he would not remain in the position of Leader!

November 1, 2004: In the evening at the Leader's office, there was a consultative meeting about nuclear issues. Finally, it was accepted that we would agree to the suspension on the condition that Iran's case is closed! Ayatollah Khamenei was opposed to the suspension, but since others were in favor, he accepted!

November 15, 2004: The European statement regarding nuclear agreements was published, and Dr. Rouhani provided good justifications in an interview. While ElBaradei called Iran's past secrecy a violation, he expressed satisfaction with Iran's current effective cooperation.

November 29, 2004: Dr. Rouhani thanked me for resolving the deadlock several times.