Memoirs of Akbar Hashemi – July 18, 1982

At seven, I went to the Parliament. Before the open session, I read the reports. The open session began at eight. Before the agenda, I spoke about the war and the objectives of entering Iraqi territory, as well as the effects of the bombing of the cities of Hamedan, Khorramabad, Bakhtaran, and Ilam by the Iraqis. Two or three emergency bills were passed.

In the afternoon, I attended the meeting of the Central Council of the party. There was discussion about the state of the market, the spread of an unhealthy spirit against the private sector, and the need to adjust the culture of the Islamic Revolution, as well as about the disputes in Sabzevar, Mahallat, and Miandoab.

I went to Mr. Rabbani Amlashi's house for iftar. Mr. Montazeri had also come from Qom. We were there until midnight with the President and members of the Supreme Judicial Council and discussed various issues. Decisions were also made regarding the regulation and adjustment of the revolutionary courts and preventing arbitrary actions. Mr. Montazeri, due to receiving contradictory information on the war issue, is also in a state of ambiguity. The results of the unsuccessful Operation Ramadan have brought him closer to realism. Mohsen was also with me. Mr. Montazeri advised him to get married.

Colonel Moeinpour [the commander of the Air Force] had also brought plans for an air strike on targets inside Iraq, which we discussed in a private meeting with the President. The bombing of the Baghdad refinery was approved as a tit-for-tat measure, and four other plans were postponed. At midnight, I went to the Parliament, received the news, and had my pre-dawn meal alone.