Memoirs of Akbar Hashemi – June 19, 1988

Around four in the morning, I woke up with Mr. Rezaei's phone. He informed that the enemy has started an attack in Mehran and failed in several places and penetrated in one place. Mr. Rouhani, Mr. Shamkhani and Mr. Hosni Saadi informed that they were pushed back at the same point. I emphasized the resistance and full cooperation of the army and the IRGC. I went to the parliament at half past six.

The new news indicated that the penetration of army positions in the north of Mehran is serious and that Mr. Hosni Saadi and Shamkhani have moved towards the region. Mr. Mohsen Rezaei has also moved from Maut to the other side. Around nine in the morning, Mr. [Mohammed] Sadr from the Ministry of Interior reported from the Ilam Governorate that the road from Ilam to Mehran was closed and the rear of the IRGC forces was also in danger. I went to the public meeting. I also informed the representatives, but based on the fighters' resistance.

I stayed in the meeting with trepidation until half past ten and returned to my office. The news became more bitter hour by hour. Mr. Rafiq Dost came with the Korean delegation. They brought a message from [North Korean leader] Kim Il Sung expressing satisfaction with relations and asking for a discount in oil prices.

I was supposed to hold the first meeting of the General Staff [General Command], which was postponed due to the travel of some members. Mr.] Majid] Ghasemi, the head of the Central Bank, came. He spoke about the foreign exchange situation and expressed his displeasure that the pressure of other sectors, especially the basic goods sector, hinders more attention to defense needs.

Colonel Jamali [deputy commander of the army's ground forces [explained that] the 15th Brigade] of the Mufaqeen had extensive cooperation with the Iraqis. In the form of insider forces, after breaking through the army lines, they came to the army camp as insider fugitives, and there they shot the commanders and captured the camp and practically paralyzed the command; This news was denied the next day.

Mr. Mohsen Rezaei, who had reached the region and was stationed in Ilam, called several times and said that they are trying to gather forces and repair the line. At the end of the day, they were able to communicate with the commander of the army's ground forces to cooperate in repairing the line and forming a new line.

Iraq is trying to end this operation in the name of the hypocrites who do not accept that they have crossed the borders and deny participating in the operation.