Memoirs of Akbar Hashemi – June 28, 1981

I wrote two days’ worth of diary entries first thing in the morning, and at six-thirty I went to Heart Hospital. Mr. Khamenei’s condition was satisfactory. He recognized me. I felt somewhat relieved.

I went to Parliament. The political parties bill was on the agenda. Five of its articles were approved. At noon, a group of Kurdish clerics came and asked me to help ease the pressure on Kurdistan, assist the clerics, and secure the release of several prisoners. In view of the possible dangers to the representatives and their guards, I placed considerable emphasis on security measures.

In the afternoon, I attended the Central Council meeting of the Party. Important matters were on the agenda. Heart Hospital had asked that one of the officials go there for consultation regarding matters related to Mr. Khamenei’s treatment. After the council meeting, I went to visit Mr. Khamenei early in the evening to assess his condition. He was better. We discussed security arrangements and other matters.

That night, I had arranged to meet Ahmad Khomeini at home. I returned home, and Mr. Mousavi-Khoiniha also came. We discussed the presidency.

Mr. Sanei from Imam’s office called and reported that a bomb had exploded at the headquarters of the Islamic Republican Party and that several people had been martyred. We were horrified. It had been a joint meeting of the Party’s representatives and executive officials.

Subsequent phone calls revealed that the bomb had exploded in the very hall where Mr. Beheshti had been speaking. Nearly one hundred influential figures in the country had been present, and the building had been destroyed, with everyone buried beneath the rubble. They were working to bring out the martyrs and the wounded.

Through phone calls, the news spread throughout the country. I stayed awake until two in the morning, continuously receiving reports. The news was horrifying, indicating that dozens had been martyred. Finally, the news of Dr. Beheshti’s martyrdom broke me, although the conflicting reports still left a glimmer of hope.

I slept for only a few moments.

Fati stayed awake until morning, answering the phone and crying. Effat also slept very little. At dawn, I performed the morning prayer and went to the Prime Minister’s Office to make decisions regarding the existing crisis. Mr. Rajaei, Mr. Mahdavi, Mr. Bahonar, Mr. Mousavi-Ardebili, and Behzad Nabavi were also there.