Memoirs of Akbar Hashemi – November 22, 1982

I studied until eight in the morning. Until noon, I was in the open session of Parliament. At noon, Colonel Hatami came and complained about being idle and asked for help. He explained his management problems at the Officers' College. Mr. Ghazali, commander of the Khorasan Corps, came and spoke about the influence of the Mojahedin of the Islamic Revolution faction in the Corps and about matters from the seminar of the Imam's representatives in the Corps. The representatives of West Azerbaijan also came and complained about the governor there and Mr. [Ali Akbar] Nateq-Nouri, the Minister of the Interior, for supporting the governor. I had a press interview about the Assembly of Experts.

The commanders of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and IRIB held a meeting in my office to resolve the complaints and expectations of both sides, which lasted about two hours. The IRGC had many expectations and was ultimately satisfied. At first it was the creditor and at the end it became the debtor, but an understanding was reached.

Mr. [Mohsen] Rezaei reported that today Saddam's forces attacked on the Muharram front with tear gas and chemical agents, and our forces withdrew a little, but with a renewed attack, they drove the Iraqis back. This is the beginning of a dangerous development. The Iraqi Ba'ath has encountered serious problems on the fronts, and its arrogant supporters are also upset. Naturally, they will not hesitate to do whatever they can to save Saddam and prevent our victory. We must think of a way to defend against this dangerous weapon. I stayed in my office at night. I listened to the news and read the reports. The President has gone to Isfahan to attend the seventh-day memorial ceremony for the martyrs of Isfahan and has given a speech.