Akbar Hashemi's Memoirs - March 1, 2000 - Report on the Trip to Hormozgan Province, Visiting Military Naval Bases of the Army and IRGC, and Attending the Congress of Martyr Commanders of the Province

I woke up at five in the morning. After prayer, exercise, and reviewing reports on the computer, we headed to [Mehrabad] Airport. At 6:40 AM, we flew to Bandar Abbas. Mohsen, Efat, the office staff, and security were with me. Mr. [Ali Akbar] Ahmadian, Commander of the IRGC Navy, and Mr. Morteza Ghorbani were also present.

During the flight, Mr. Ahmadian shared interesting and significant memories from the war, particularly regarding the clashes between the newly formed IRGC naval forces and the U.S. fleet. He recounted the mysterious attack on the Bridgeton oil tanker, which had been commissioned by the U.S. Congress to transport Kuwaiti oil under the American flag, as a countermeasure to our policy of retaliating against the tankers targeting our oil tankers and industrial oil centers. He also recalled my direct orders to him and the statements and guidance of Imam [Khomeini]. It was agreed that we should document these important historical moments through interviews.

From Bandar Abbas Airport, following a short interview and a welcome by provincial officials, we proceeded to the city’s sports stadium, the venue for the Congress of Martyr Commanders of [Hormozgan] Province. It was a grand gathering. After the provincial IRGC commander’s report, a recital, revolutionary songs, and the inspiring speech by [Asia,] the daughter of Martyr [Hamid] Bakeri, I delivered a comprehensive speech. I emphasized the importance of honoring the martyrs, preserving and disseminating their legacy, the significance of the Sacred Defense period, the ongoing enmity of global arrogance with Islam, and the strategic importance of the Hormozgan region.

We then went to the Navy’s guesthouse. On the way, I asked [Fathollah Moein], the governor of [Hormozgan], numerous questions. After lunch, some rest, and reviewing reports, we headed to inaugurate the mid-level maintenance center for submarines. General [Abbas] Mohtaj, [Commander of the Army’s Navy], provided an insightful report on the submarines purchased from the Soviet Union during the reconstruction period, the progress made, and the training of personnel.

At Shahid Bahonar Port, I inaugurated the [mid-level submarine maintenance workshop] and toured the repair sections, discussing matters with the specialists, most of whom had received training in Russia. In the evening, we toured various parts of the port and then returned to the guesthouse. Efat and Badri Khanom, [Efat’s cousin], who had toured the city, also returned. I reviewed newspapers, reports, and wrote my memoirs. During dinner, we reviewed maps of the base, docks, and ports.