Memoirs of Akbar Hashemi – March 24, 1985

After the prayer, I told Mr. [Kamal] Kharazi, the head of the War Propaganda Headquarters, to give an announcement that due to Iraq's cessation of hitting cities and ships, which was done in the last twenty-four hours due to our countermeasures, we have not hit Iraqi cities since last night, and we will not hit them in the future until Saddam does not renew his mischief.

The Prime Minister informed that Iraq claims to have occupied two outposts from us in Kurdistan - the northern front. I asked the camp. Mr. [Mohsen] Rezaei confirmed the news and said that we are trying to get them back. Our forces there have been against Iraq more than the Barzanis and Akrads. Efat called from Medina, but since I was in the yard, the phone was disconnected by the time I arrived.

Colonel [Mustafa] Tarabi [the head of the Imam's advisory office in the army] warned on the phone that because our missile power has taken Iraq's air superiority away from him, it is possible that he will start a conspiracy in the south and in the Persian Gulf region so that he can get new long-range missiles in front of our missile. A letter was received from Mr. [Mohsen] Rezaei, in which he stated his future plan in fronts and criticized the plan of Mr. Sayad [Shirazi].

They brought the reports at night. It turned out that Iraq hit two ships with missiles today and its planes approached several cities, but these attacks were repelled. After consulting with Ahmad Agha and President [Ayatollah] Khamenei, we decided to launch a missile at Baghdad Radio and Television [Building] tomorrow. The order of this attack was announced. I also spoke with Dr. Velayati to strengthen his efforts to get more missiles. I also told Mr. Sayad to bring his program to Tehran; Mr. [Ayatollah] Khamenei also emphasized this point.

Sarshab Ahmad Agha came and talked about the war and other issues.