Akbar Hashemi's Memoirs - December 6, 1999 - Attending the Wedding Ceremony of Seyed Masoud Khamenei with the Daughter of Seyed Mohsen Kharazi at the Leader’s Office

Hashemi's reaction to NASA’s attempt to connect with the Mars rover and the failure of the World Trade Conference in Seattle

Meeting with the Central Council of the Islamic Society of Researchers

In a meeting with Bijan Namdar Zanganeh, discussions on sabotage by Khuzestan’s specialists and complaints about Jomhouri Eslami newspaper, managed by Massih Mohajeri, and Sobh magazine, managed by Mehdi Nasiri, as well as the declining influence of Ayatollah Khamenei, are significant, although Hashemi chose to swiftly move past them.

Continued interview with Masoud Safiri, later published in the book "Hashemi Without Retouching."

Attending the wedding ceremony of Seyed Masoud Khamenei with the daughter of Seyed Mohsen Kharazi at the Leader’s office, with several clerics from Qom and Tehran, as well as family members, in attendance.

A phone call to Seyed Mohammad Khatami, who was recovering from illness at home.

After three days of efforts, NASA has been unable to establish contact with the Mars rover, which is assumed to have landed on Mars, but they have not yet given up hope. The failure of the World Trade Conference in Seattle has sparked many interpretations, including America's failure to impose its monopolistic views.

The Central Council of the Islamic Society of Researchers came. Dr. [Mohammad Sadeq] Mahfoozi gave a report, followed by introductions and questions from Dr. [Ali] Shariatmadari and Dr. Sheikh. I delivered a speech on the essential requirements for research, including the need to avoid bias, ensure security for researchers, and prevent political and factional influence.

Mr. Engineer [Bijan Namdar] Zanganeh, [Minister of Petroleum], came and reported on the ministry's successes, as well as the sabotage by specialists from Khuzestan. He also expressed grievances about Jomhouri Eslami newspaper and Sobh magazine and voiced concerns about the declining influence of the Leader. He strongly emphasized the importance of my participation in the upcoming elections and warned of the consequences of this diminishing influence.

I also stressed the importance of fulfilling the government’s commitments to those who have converted their vehicles to natural gas, and if the government no longer deems the process beneficial, they should prevent new vehicles from converting to natural gas until Madi’s plan for natural gas usage, which has a good revenue stream from exporting derivatives, is ready. He was not satisfied with the ministry's funding situation.

In the afternoon, I had an interview with Mr. [Masoud] Safiri, [Editor-in-Chief of Akhbar newspaper], mostly concerning the eight-year defense period [Iran-Iraq War]. In the evening, I attended the wedding reception for Masoud, the son of Ayatollah Khamenei, with the daughter of Seyed Mohsen Kharazi, held at the Leader’s office. Several clerics from Qom and Tehran, as well as family members of both sides, were present.

I called Mr. [Seyed Mohammad] Khatami, [President], to inquire about his health, as he was staying at home due to the flu.

The case of a five-year-old Cuban child has garnered significant media attention. The child, along with 11 others, had fled Cuba to immigrate to America, but their boat capsized. The child was rescued from the water, and now Cuba is insisting on his return, threatening public protests and sit-ins.