Memoirs of Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani – April 4, 2003

The aggressors claim that they have reached 20 kilometers south of Baghdad and are fighting over the capture of Baghdad airport; however, Mohammed Saeed al-Sahhaf said that these are illusions, and that the invading forces are scattered on roads and in deserts, trapped, and have not been able to reach any of their urban targets, facing resistance from the people and the Popular Army everywhere.

Sayyid Abdul Majid al-Khoei made a questionable move by traveling with invading forces from the Kuwaiti border to Najaf, and his interview with BBC was published today. In it, he defended and justified the actions of the invaders, saying that he himself witnessed in Najaf that the invaders do not harm civilians, and that Saddam’s fidai forces have taken positions in mosques, shrines, and civilians’ homes and are fighting the invaders. He said there is no electricity, water, or services in Najaf, and that the invaders do not insult religious centers.

The invaders broadcast a false report in the name of Ali al-Sistani attempting to neutralize his earlier fatwa calling for resistance against foreign forces. It is claimed in this message that people are asked not to obstruct the advance of the invaders. This claim was denied by Ayatollah Sistani’s office, but certain media outlets continue to repeat it.

Last night, electricity in Baghdad was cut and the city fell into complete darkness, yet the invaders, following their policy of sabotage, claim they did not damage the electricity system and deny carrying out actions harmful to civilians. Even yesterday, British military officials in Parliament claimed with audacity that the invaders have not damaged any civilian targets, despite having repeatedly admitted to killing hundreds of civilians and bombing markets and hospitals, which they describe as unavoidable.

Western media have adopted a new tactic to deceive public opinion: they say they oppose the war, but now that the war has started and only one side will ultimately win, the West should not prefer the victory of Saddam Hussein’s dictatorship; yet when asked why they do not support the victory of the Iraqi people consistent with their anti-war stance, they have no answer.

The pursuit of the Ansar al-Islam group in northern Iraq continues by the invaders and the Patriotic Union forces. Hundreds of them have fled to Iran and have been arrested by the IRGC, some of them injured. To discredit them, propaganda claims that they killed their own women and children before fleeing to avoid being captured by foreign forces.

I led Friday (Friday prayer). In the first sermon, I spoke for one hour about the war and the region. I stated Iran’s clear position of opposition to the war, military neutrality, humanitarian support for the Iraqi people, non-support for the Baath regime, and outlined 30 points on the problems and flaws of the United States. Later, foreign media analyzed the sermon as realistic.

After yesterday’s statements by Mohammed Saeed al-Sahhaf, today the invaders captured most of Baghdad airport, and clashes are continuing. Al-Sahhaf said that soon, in an unconventional operation, the invaders will be annihilated. Explosions against U.S. bases occurred in Indonesia and in military bases in Japan and Afghanistan, and U.S. officials said that Afghanistan is no longer safe for the United States.