Memoirs of Akbar Hashemi - October 13, 2000 - Meeting with Abdullah Nouri After His Release from Evin Prison

The meeting with Abdullah Nouri following his release from Evin Prison is significant, particularly due to the historical context of previous consultations and discussions.

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At 8:30 AM, Mr. Abdullah Nouri, the former Minister of Interior, who had been granted leave from prison, spoke briefly about his situation; he appeared to be in good spirits. He criticized the inaction of Mr. Seyyed Mohammad Khatami's government and mentioned the divisions and disagreements among the reformists, as well as the lack of awareness within the parliament. He recounted instances of his expressions of gratitude towards me during his interactions with his supporters. He specifically mentioned that he had told his parents that the only person who has done something for him during these events is Mr. Hashemi, noting that I had called him before his trial and provided him with benevolent advice. He had said that if he did not act rashly in court, there was a possibility he could avoid prison time. If arrangements were made to convert his prison status to "semi-open," he could come home during holidays. He stated that his primary concern was the well-being of his wife and parents.

I went to my office in Koushk. In the evening, I returned home and spent the rest of the night reading, including notes and diaries from Iffat before the victory of the revolution. Saeed, Fati, and Mohammad brought sandwiches from outside.

The government of Yasser Arafat has released all Hamas prisoners. Today, clashes between Israel and the Palestinians have reached a critical point. Four Israeli special forces personnel have been captured by Palestinians, with two of them reported dead. In response, Israel has launched attacks on the government offices of Arafat in Gaza and Ramallah using helicopters, artillery, and warships, resulting in over 30 deaths and many injuries. As of 10 PM Tehran time, Israeli officials have declared that the peace negotiations have ended, and a state of war has ensued.

At the same time, a U.S. warship, the USS Cole, exploded off the coast of Aden, killing four, leaving 12 missing, and injuring 39. The ship was armed with missiles and had a crew of 350. These incidents, combined with the strike by oil workers in Venezuela, have caused oil prices in the U.S. to exceed $37 per barrel, leading to serious challenges for the United States.