Memoirs of Akbar Hashemi – November 2, 1987

I was at home. Before noon, the members of the Supervisory Council of Radio and Television came. They had questions about war policy and confrontation with America. Mr. Ray Shahri [Information Minister] came. He complained about the existence of intelligence centers in the IRGC, the Ministry of Interior, the Army and the committee, which hinders the concentration of information, and he also spoke about the IRGC's internal issues and suggested that the Ministry of Intelligence be organized and under the supervision of the head of the Supreme Court [Judiciary].

In the evening Mr. [Naser Jirani] Nobri, our ambassador to the Soviet Union, came. He presented an analysis of the state of our relations with the Soviet Union that if the moves are tactical and not strategic - which they are not - then we should not look forward to the progress and development of relations. Because both sides have temporary, limited and superficial plans. I agreed that it is the same, but I said that we can cooperate more in political, economic and technical matters. Especially since we have a common point of view about the dominance of the West in the region. Regarding my trip to Russia, I said that it is conditional on the ceremony being appropriate and Gromyko's invitation and we being able to reach a conclusion on the important issues of Fimabin, in that case I will travel. Regarding the replacement of the international force instead of the US in the Persian Gulf, we agree in principle, but we prefer it to be from the regional forces.

I read the reports, the Americans have claimed that a boat, possibly Iranian, is approaching their ships in a hostile manner and they have fired at it, but we have not had such a report. Mr. [Ahmed Janati] head of the Islamic Propaganda Organization [and Akhoi Mohammad] head of the Broadcasting Organization [and Iqbalipour] in charge of the security team] consulted about the destination of the 13 Aban march and finally it was decided to go to Azadi Square, unless it rains, in which case they will go somewhere else.