Memoirs of Akbar Hashemi – July 17, 1981

I had an opportunity to rest and also managed to study. Before going to Friday Prayer, I reviewed the collection of news and events of the week that the Friday Prayer headquarters prepares each week for the Friday Prayer leader of Tehran.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps informed me that terrorists might attempt to assassinate the Friday Prayer leader or other prominent figures attending the Friday Prayer, possibly using a scoped rifle from buildings adjacent to the university. I asked the responsible officials to look into the matter.

At 10:30 a.m., I went to the university. Mr. Fakhruddin Hejazi was the speaker before the Friday Prayer. After his speech, the electricity was cut off, and approximately forty-five minutes were wasted. I began the sermon late and therefore spoke briefly and concisely about the elections, trials, and hypocrisy, and did not deliver the Arabic sermon. An emergency power supply is needed here.

In the afternoon, we had a meeting of the Supreme Defense Council at the Joint Staff headquarters. Colonel Afzali [Commander of the Navy] and Brigadier General Zahirnejad [Commander of the Ground Forces] also attended. Afzali explained the reason for the damage to the Milaniyan warship and its partial sinking, and said that fourteen people who had been negligent in carrying out their duties were being prosecuted. The ship will be repaired and back in service within two or three weeks. He also outlined the Navy’s needs.

Mr. Zahirnejad spoke about his disagreement with General Fallahi over the dismissal of Colonel Varshui from command of the 21st Division and complained to the council. After Mr. Fallahi responded, it was decided that they should work together in a spirit of mutual understanding and cooperation. We had iftar at headquarters as Mr. Fallahi’s guests. I came home late at night. The ignition key to my car had been left inside it. I came in the escort vehicle. The guards still lack the necessary discipline. It is not their fault; they have not received proper training.