Memoirs of Akbar Hashemi – August 19, 1990

Iraq and Kuwait crisis has entered a new phase. Iraq has taken hostages of foreign and especially western countries and placed them in sensitive centers. America has fired a warning shot at two Iraqi oil ships.

[Mr. Mohammad Nabi Hasanpour], our new ambassador in Gabon, came to say goodbye and consult. Mr. [Mohsen] Karaati came. He brought a letter from the leadership, based on the order to accept the proposal of the Higher School of Religious Education in Qom, from the Ministry of Culture and Higher Education; I gave orders to Dr. [Mustafa] Moin, [Minister of Culture and Higher Education]. [Mr. Qaraeti] announced that Ayatollah Khamenei has agreed to use the armed forces and vehicles for the literacy movement.

Mr. Rashed al-Ghannoushi, the leader of the Tunisian Islamic Movement, came. He said the status of the Islamic movements in the North African continent; is satisfied He wanted us not to let Saddam fall. [Mr. Ali Bouzer], the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Türkiye came to meet. There was a negotiation regarding the imposition of sanctions against Iraq; They are worried that Iran will not comply with the sanctions; I said we will comply. Türkiye's need for Iranian oil has increased.

Dr. [Mohsen] Nurbakhsh, [Minister of Economic Affairs and Finance] came. I told them to take action for the abundance of construction materials and trucks for transportation, especially gas piping equipment. In the evening, the government board had a meeting. Five billion tomans were approved for the expenses of released prisoners. We went to the [Mehrabad] airport to welcome the released prisoners. They sang a hymn; I also welcomed them and praised them.

We had a meeting with Ayatollah Khamenei. The future of Iraq, the possibility of disintegration, the stay of Saddam or another ruler, and our reaction in each of the three mentioned possibilities were discussed, and it was agreed that the Foreign Minister of Kuwait would come to Iran. I came home late.