Historical

پرویز ثابتی
The documentary on Parviz Sabeti: a lesson and its historical messages and teachings

The documentary portrait of Parviz Sabeti is a well-crafted, impactful, and lasting piece of work that will surely be analyzed and critiqued by media professionals, the revolutionaries of 1979, and historians.

The nature of a portrait documentary is that it focuses extensively on the central character, often with a positive lens.

My overall impression after watching the five-part series is that Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi's greatest mistake was yielding to his opponents and protesters, as well as his decision to leave the country, relinquishing control to others. This serves as the biggest lesson for the Islamic Republic and its officials.

The Islamic Republic has long learned from this experience, and during recent protests, it has operated based on the same lessons but with modern tools, specially assigned individuals, and the management of public perception and fake political opposition. This targeted management and intelligence strategy continues today.

Some attacks (from both the media of the Islamic Republic and opposition groups from the Pahlavi era, who are now among the opponents or dissidents of the Islamic Republic) on the creators of this documentary may be due to what they see as "whitewashing SAVAK." However, I believe that many of the current officials of the Islamic Republic, or the ever-present public who have shifted from supporters to indirect and hidden opposition, will not harshly criticize the Islamic Republic's behavior in dealing with its opponents, after watching Parviz Sabeti's narrative.

In conclusion, any interview or historical documentary that presents even a one-sided perspective holds historical value, as it can later be affirmed or disputed. We should be grateful to the producers of such historical narratives.

سردار علایی
Brigadier General Alaei: We hit American helicopters with Stinger missiles. I asked Mr. Hashemi if he really wanted to close the Strait of Hormuz. He said "yes"

Brigadier General Alaei, commander of the Nooh Headquarters during the eight-year war:

"Recently, I saw in an interview with one of our dear friends that he claimed to have founded the speedboats. However, these were established by the Navy of the Revolutionary Guard during the war. Many like to say it was us, which is fine; everyone was involved, but accurately presenting events is very important.

We obtained Stinger missiles through intermediaries from Afghan brothers who were working with the U.S. and had received them to use against the Soviets. These were mounted on the boats. Two Apache helicopters attacked our guys and hit the boats, but one of our men used the same Stinger missile, originally American, and shot down an American helicopter for the first time, which then fell into the sea, with two pilots drowning who were later recovered.

Iran repeatedly stated that we would close the Strait of Hormuz. One day, I went to Mr. Hashemi and asked him if he really wanted to close the Strait. He said yes. If the Americans did something, we would close it. I asked how he planned to do that. He said, 'You guys are here.' I replied that we needed weapons. He asked what we wanted.

I said the Iraqis had told us what to ask for. They were using silk worm missiles from inside Ras al-Bisheh to hit Khorramush. I told him that since he was planning to visit China, he should ask them to give us some of those missiles they had given to the Iraqis. He went, made the contract, and we received them."

— Khabar Online

سید حسین مرتضوی
The remorse expressed by the head of Evin Prison during the mass executions of political prisoners in 1988: "A crime was committed, and I cannot be cleansed even with holy water."

Hossein Mortazavi-Zanjani, the head of Evin Prison during 1986 and 1987, recently made unprecedented remarks in Clubhouse about the conditions of prisons at that time and the mass executions of political prisoners in 1988.

He condemned the executions in 1988, describing them as a crime, stating that these actions were an attempt to rid the Islamic Republic of the prison issue while Ruhollah Khomeini was still alive. According to Mortazavi-Zanjani, the executions aimed to eliminate the presence of political prisoners in the Islamic Republic and ensure there were no dissenters within the country.

The former head of Evin Prison acknowledged his responsibility, stating, "I cannot be cleansed even with holy water." He also spoke about his disillusionment with the Islamic Republic, claiming he does not accept either the republic or the Islamic nature of the current regime.

While asserting that he did not bear responsibility for the trials and executions, Mortazavi-Zanjani held the committee formed at that time accountable for all that transpired and claimed he expressed his opposition in the meetings held then. He confirmed the transportation of the bodies of those executed by truck for burial outside the prison in Khavaran.

Mortazavi-Zanjani implicitly acknowledged the use of torture at that time and confirmed the issuance of orders for the virginity testing of young women before their executions.

From 1984 to 1987, Hossein Mortazavi-Zanjani held various significant positions in the management of the Islamic Republic's prisons, including the leadership of Gohardasht and Evin prisons.

These important remarks from Hossein Mortazavi-Zanjani were made on the first day of his presence in Clubhouse on June 25, 2023, as selected and written by Babak Ghafouri Azar.

سید علی خامنه‌ای و عطاالله مهاجرانی
Memoirs of Akbar Hashemi - October 9, 1999 - The Beginning of Ayatollah Khamenei’s Opposition and Its Tangible Manifestation Towards Ataollah Mohajerani’s Ministry in a Meeting with Some Officials

Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani's Memoirs - October 9, 1999

In today's memoirs, which contain significant historical content, Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani notes the beginning of Ayatollah Khamenei's opposition, which became evident and tangible regarding Ataollah Mohajerani’s Ministry during a meeting with some officials.

The meeting with Mr. Vaez Tabasi, Dori Najafabadi, and Sheikh Ahmad Jannati, which began with the recitation of verse 90 from Surah Ad-Duha and the interesting metaphor of them presenting themselves as orphans in Hashemi’s absence for the upcoming elections, was notable.

Mr. [Mohammad Mohammadi] Reyshahri, [the custodian of the Holy Shrine of Abdol Azim], came and requested that I attend the inauguration of the Hadith College. I have personally funded a significant portion of the college’s construction; it is located in Rey. During the session of the Expediency Discernment Council, the general policies of the mining sector were approved.

Mr. [Mohsen] Nourbakhsh and [Eshaq] Jahangiri came and expressed their gratitude for the extension of Mr. Karbaschi’s leave, which has now been extended for another ten days. They expressed concern about the possible conviction of Mr. Abdullah Nouri, [editor of the Khordad newspaper], and his disqualification from participating in the [Sixth Parliamentary] elections. They also voiced their concerns and sought advice on the pressures being exerted on Mr. [Ataollah] Mohajerani, [Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance], and deliberated on his potential resignation, given the seriousness of the Supreme Leader’s opposition to the Ministry’s actions and the dissatisfaction of the clerics; it is a challenging situation.

At noon, Mr. [Abbas Vaez] Tabasi, [Ghorbanali] Dori [Najafabadi], and [Ahmad] Jannati were my guests. They are pressuring me to run for Parliament, to the extent that they refer to themselves as orphans without me, reciting the verse "So as for the orphan, do not oppress him" [Ad-Duha: 9].

I reiterated my previous argument that I stepped aside to prevent the revolution from becoming dependent on one person. I also consider the task of approving the country’s general policies important, which is being done for the first time. I told them that if they resolve their own issues, they can secure the majority vote.

I advised them to avoid harsh and unnecessary restrictions that alienate women and youth. They are gradually acknowledging their mistakes, especially the rejection of moderate forces, and I also explained practical ways of moving forward.