Memoirs of Akbar Hashemi – August 10, 1986

Mehdi was getting ready to go to the front and I came to the parliament to make meetings. Mr. Colonel Tarabi came to report the issues of the war. Mr. Hamid Nachigan came. He stated that he is unemployed. Mr. Naji, the director of steel industries, came. He gave a report on the situation of the steel industry and asked for the strengthening of the budget and manpower and complained about the lack of cooperation of the Minister [Mines and Metals].

I participated in the meeting of the Supreme War Support Council in Mr. [Ayatollah] Khamenei's office. We had approvals to send troops and equip facilities. Then we negotiated with Mr. Mohsen Rezaei about three limited operations before the next broad attack. I came to the parliament for lunch. In the evening, I was supposed to have a TV interview to answer the questions about the war caused by the enemies' propaganda, but it was postponed because the questions were not prepared.

My son Mehdi and my bodyguard Mr. Rahmani, who were going to the front, came to say goodbye. I gave Mr. Rahmani a watch as a gift. I love Mehdi more than before because of his selfless spirit. I spoke with modesty on the phone, but he is satisfied. She does not want to prevent her child from the reward and happiness, she knows that his presence in the front is useful for the revolution, but she is a mother and her heart hurts, she asked me to give charity and sacrifice a sheep for her and the guards.

Mr. [Aladdin] Boroujerdi, our new ambassador in China, came to consult and say goodbye. Mr. Alizadeh, a new member of the Guardian Council, came and criticized the judicial system. He was satisfied with Mr. [Mustafa] Mohagheg Damad [Head of the National Inspection Organization].

The group responsible for the protection of personalities came from the Security Council. They consulted about reducing the formalities and the amount of protection. At night, the leaders were my guests. Financial and political differences with France were discussed and Mr. [Mohammed Javad] Larijani [Deputy for International and Economic Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs] reported on his trip to Russia. It seems that the Russians want to have good relations with us.