Akbar Hashemi's Memoirs - March 2, 2000 - Continuing the Report on the Trip to Hormozgan Province, Including Today's Visit to Army Naval Units and Facilities

We went to the Navy parade ground for a joint morning assembly. After the review, General [Abbas] Mohtaj, [Commander of the Army’s Navy], gave a report, and I delivered an encouraging speech. Then, we visited the NEDAJA [Army Navy] port construction program, which is part of the expansion of Shahid Bahonar Port—a significant project.

Next, we traveled by ship to Qeshm. Efat and the others accompanied us. The journey provided a good opportunity to discuss matters related to the province and the armed forces. We arrived in Qeshm at 11:00 AM and were welcomed by officials at the Dargahan dock. We went directly to Kaveh Wharf, which has made good progress and can now accommodate large ships of up to 60,000 tons, which is crucial for the island.

From there, we visited the newly constructed zinc factory [Qeshm Zinc Smelting and Refining Complex] and listened to the managers' explanations. They import zinc concentrate from Zanjan and produce zinc. Then, we toured the industrial products exhibition in Qeshm, which displayed dozens of products, and visited the spring manufacturing factory [Khorshid Qeshm].

In the afternoon, we stayed at the Qeshm guesthouse. Later, we visited the cement factory, which is close to completing its mill. Clinker is imported from Bandar Abbas. It is one of the small cement factories we acquired from China during my tenure.

We were scheduled to transfer to the Khark naval vessel by helicopters, but due to the stormy sea and strong winds, it was deemed unwise, so we canceled and instead went to the island’s beach resort on the southern coast. The facility is newly built and clean. We performed the Maghrib and Isha prayers there. Afterward, we visited the IRGC missile site, where they have Chinese C-802 missiles with a range of 120 kilometers, which we purchased during my tenure. Both the IRGC and the Army have them; they are simple and accurate.

Next, we visited the IRGC naval base and inspected their significant shelter buildings. They have constructed shelters on the shore for their vessels—an innovative project inspired, apparently, by North Korea. We stayed for dinner and the night at the IRGC guesthouse. Strong winds blew along the coast, leading to the cancellation of the amphibious operations planned as part of the Unity 78 maneuver.

A notification on my portable laptop indicated that in Belgium, an anti-revolutionary Iranian had filed a complaint against me in court, and [Damien Vandermeersch], the judge, in an illegal act, had issued an investigation order. It seems they are likely coordinating with individuals inside the country to continue election-related smear campaigns.