Memoirs of Akbar Hashemi – July 19, 1986

Mr. [Ali] Shamkhani [commander of the IRGC ground forces] came, told the situation of the fronts and discussed the issues that should be raised in the meeting of IRGC commanders.

At eight o'clock in the morning, we went to the Imam's pilgrimage with the commanders of the army and army camps. Before the meeting in the courtyard of the Imam's house, I reached them and requested that they say something about the unity of the army and the IRGC, the necessity of continuing the operation and not giving Saddamian a deadline, and the need for more people to participate in the front.

A meeting was held in the Imam's small courtyard, which can accommodate about seventy people. First of all, I spoke a few sentences and congratulated Eid. Imam spoke in detail. All the commanders managed to kiss the Imam's hand, and they were very happy, as this is not usually possible in public meetings.

From 9:30 to 11:30, we had a meeting with the IRGC commanders in Hosseinieh Jamaran to hear their needs and words and make decisions about the war. I had a fever. I was able to endure the session by taking painkillers. Mr. [Mohammed] Bagheri, the intelligence officer of the [Ground Forces] of the IRGC, said that the balance of the Iraqi army and the weakness of their reconstruction power and the need to continue our attacks. Mehran's successes have strengthened the morale of our warriors. The armies have few volunteers. I asked them to combine their forces to carry out the Imam's order regarding the continuation of the operation. Ahmad Agha came home in the evening. We discussed the current issues of the country and the war.