159: Chapter 156 Liquidation

February 5, 1982, Tehran.

Beheshti publicly released a new statement.

He retracted his previous statement and publicly supported Reza.

He stated that his previous declaration was based on incorrect information and that he was sorry for it.

In Iran's political circles, everyone breathed a sigh of relief.

But Reza knew this was only on the surface.

Beheshti would not truly support him.

Beheshti was just waiting for an opportunity.

Next time, Beheshti would be more careful.

Next time, Beheshti would be more dangerous.

Ahvaz, Reza's office.

Karimi reported: "Beheshti has already publicly supported you."

"I know," Reza said, "but this is superficial."

"Then what should we do?"

"We will continue to monitor him," Reza said, "and we also need to deal with Javadi."

"How do we deal with him?"

Reza thought for a moment.

"Let him leave on his own," he said.

"How do we make him leave on his own?"

"Give him an impossible task," Reza said. "If he fails, he will be relieved of his duties. If he succeeds, then we also benefit."

"What kind of task?"

"Develop an air defense system capable of countering a Cruise missile," Reza said, "within two months."

Karimi looked at Reza.

"That is an impossible task," he said.

"I know," Reza said, "that is the point."

Karimi understood.

If Javadi could not develop this system within two months, he would be considered incompetent. He would be relieved of his duties.

If he actually developed it, then Iran would have a weapon to counter the Cruise missile.

Regardless of the outcome, Reza would win.

"I will assign this task to Javadi," Karimi said.

"Wait," Reza said, "I will call him personally."

Karimi left.

Reza picked up the phone and called Javadi.

Tehran, Javadi's office.

The phone rang.

Javadi answered the phone.

"Javadi," Reza's voice came from the other end of the line.

"Yes," Javadi said.

"I have a new task for you," Reza said.

"What task?"

"Develop an air defense system capable of countering a Cruise missile," Reza said.

"Within what timeframe?"

"Two months."

Javadi was stunned.

"Two months?" he said. "That is impossible."

"Why is it impossible?" Reza asked.

"Developing a new air defense system takes at least a year," Javadi said, "two months isn't even enough to finish the design."

"Then I can have someone else do this task," Reza said, "if you think you cannot do it, I can have Fatima do it."

Javadi was silent.

He knew that if he refused this task, he would be considered incompetent. He would lose his position.

If he accepted this task, he might fail. But he might also succeed.

Furthermore, if he succeeded, he would receive a great reward.

"I accept this task," he finally said.

"Very good," Reza said, "I will give you all the resources you need. But you need to deliver a working system within two months."

"Okay," Javadi said.

The call ended.

Javadi sat in his chair, looking out the window.

He knew he had been set up by Reza.

He knew Reza was trying to make him fail.

But he also knew he had no choice.

He had to accept this task.

He had to try.

Ahvaz, Reza's office.

Reza was discussing with Karimi.

"Javadi accepted the task," Reza said.

"Then he will fail," Karimi said.

"Yes," Reza said, "he will fail. But before he fails, he will do many things."

"What things?"

"He will leak more information to Beheshti," Reza said, "he will try to get help through Beheshti. But Beheshti does not have the ability to help him. So Beheshti will expose more weaknesses."

Karimi understood.

This was a chain reaction.

Luring Beheshti through Javadi. Discovering more opponents through Beheshti's reaction.

"How long will this take?" Karimi asked.

"Two months," Reza said, "after two months, Javadi will fail. Then I will deal with him."

"How will you deal with him?"

"Make him disappear," Reza said.

Karimi looked at Reza.

"Disappear?"

"Yes," Reza said, "Javadi is an Air Force general, he knows too much. I cannot let him live."

Karimi was silent.

He knew Reza was right.

But he also knew this was a very cruel decision.

"Okay," he finally said, "in two months."

"In two months," Reza said.

Kermanshah, Iranian Air Defense Command Center.

Fatima was having a video conference with Reza.

"We need to develop an air defense system capable of countering a Cruise missile," Reza said.

"I know," Fatima said, "I have already been thinking about this problem."

"What are your thoughts?"

"We need a different type of air defense system," Fatima said, "Persia-4 is a long-range air defense system, it targets high-altitude targets. But a Cruise missile is a low-altitude target. We need a short-range, low-altitude air defense system."

"What kind of system?"

"A system using infrared guidance," Fatima said, "a Cruise missile's engine produces heat. If we can track this heat, we can shoot down the Cruise missile."

"How long will this take?"

"If we have enough resources," Fatima said, "six months."

"Six months is too long," Reza said, "I need a working system within two months."

"Two months?" Fatima said. "That is impossible."

"I know," Reza said, "but I have an idea."

"What idea?"

"I am having Javadi develop a system that can counter a Cruise missile," Reza said, "within two months."

Fatima was stunned.

"Javadi? How could he possibly do that?"

"He cannot do it," Reza said, "he will fail."

"Then why let him do it?"

"Because I need him to fail," Reza said, "he is an internal opponent. I need to let him expose himself."

Fatima understood.

This was politics.

She did not like politics.

But she knew that Reza needed to handle politics.

"Then what should I do?" she asked.

"You continue your work," Reza said, "develop that infrared guidance system. I will give you six months."

"Okay," Fatima said.

The video conference ended.

Fatima sat in her chair, thinking.

She knew this war was not just a military war.

This war was also a political war.

And a political war is more complex than a military war.

She was grateful that she did not need to be directly involved in the political war.

She only needed to focus on her work.

She needed to develop a new air defense system.

She needed to make Iran stronger.

Baghdad, Iraqi General Staff.

Saddam Hussein was listening to an intelligence report.

"A political struggle is happening inside Iran," the intelligence officer said, "Beheshti publicly challenged Reza, but failed."

"What does this mean?" Saddam Hussein asked.

"It means Reza's power has been consolidated," the intelligence officer said, "he defeated an internal opponent."

Saddam Hussein was silent.

He had always hoped that Iran's internal divisions would weaken Iran.

But Reza was too smart.

Every internal challenge was resolved by Reza.

Every internal crisis made Reza stronger.

"We need more support," Saddam Hussein said, "we need to get more weapons from the Soviet Union."

"Yes," the Chief of Staff said.

"Also," Saddam Hussein said, "we need to continue bombing Iran. We cannot let Iran have time to strengthen their defenses."

"Yes."

Saddam Hussein stood up and walked to the window.

He looked at Baghdad outside the window.

He knew this war was more difficult than he had imagined.

Iran had Reza.

Iran had Fatima.

Iran had the will.

But Iraq also had Saddam Hussein.

Iraq also had the will.

This war would be long.

It would be cruel.

But he believed that Iraq would win.

Because Iraq had more resources.

Because Iraq had more allies.

Because Iraq had more time.

But what he did not know was that Iran was also preparing for a long-term war.

Iran was also waiting.

Iran was also accumulating.

And in the end, whoever could hold out longer would win.