Memoirs of Akbar Hashemi – August 9, 1983

I went to Ayatollah Khamenei's office. At six in the morning, I had a meeting with him and Messrs. Sayyad Shirazi and Mohsen Rezaei to review the results of the operation and plan for the future. They were satisfied with the results of Operations Valfajr 2 and 3. Iraq's extensive assault on Mehran with forces brought in from surrounding areas had worried them somewhat. They contacted the front; it became clear that last night they had cleared the hills of Mehran, taken three hundred prisoners, and routed the rest. We also identified two areas for the next operation.

At eight in the morning, I came to the Majles; Mr. Yazdi was presiding over the open session. I went to my office. I read the reports. Near noon, word came that the Iraqis had announced their withdrawal from Mehran; it is good news. They have announced their defeat as a withdrawal.

At noon, people from the military industries came and had some proposals for improving the work. Mr. Ghorbani, the Friday Prayer Leader of Lahijan, came and complained about the [Islamic Republic] Party in Rasht and the low price of tea. We had lunch together. In the afternoon, a group from the [Mojahedin] Organization of the Islamic Revolution, the branch of Mr. Rasti [Kashani], came; they criticized their opposing faction.

Mr. [Asadollah] Badamchian came. He was upset about the withdrawal of Mr. [Habibollah] Asgaroladi and [Ahmad] Tavakkoli and proposed replacing Mr. [Mir-Hossein Mousavi], the prime minister; I rejected it. Mr. Ghayouran came and had criticisms; Mr. Mousavi [the prime minister] has also dismissed him; he had been the prime minister's special inspector for the distribution of goods.

Mr. Mohammad-Reza Beheshti came and gave a report on the meeting of the central council of the [Islamic Republic] Party, where they had requested that the proposed ministers be approved by the council beforehand. He was worried about the state of the Party. Mr. Golsorkhi came; he is leaving for India. He said that the owner of a large library in Bombay - Mr. Kashani - had died and had wanted to give this library to the Islamic Republic. He proposed becoming a member of parliament in the future. The central council of the [Society of] Combatant Clergy of Mashhad came. They were worried about the state of the war, the economy, disputes, and...; I reassured them somewhat. People from the Foundation of the Oppressed came, gave a balance sheet, and consulted about selling gold and jewelry and antiques.  At night, the Supreme Defense Council had a meeting. I gave an interview.  Late at night, I came home.