Rafsanjani returned to Tehran on March16. Immediatly after his arrival,the Supreme National Security Council convened. The session, chaired by Rafsanjani and attended by top military commanders, evaluated the blow the Guards Corps had received from the NLA and discussed various means of sending more forces and supplies into Iraqi territory. Tehran radio announced that the SNSC had called the meeting "to review the latest developments in the crisis in Iraq."
From
then on, the Khomeini regime tried to concentrate its forces; the complete
32nd Ansar-al-Hossein, 39th NabiAkram, 80th Balal and 59th Muslim-bin-Aqil
Brigades were transferred to the Qaleh-Shahin camp south of Sarpol-Zahab
(30 kms from the border). Tile GC's 212th Hamzeh Brigade was stationed on
the Paveh-Nowsud axis. The 11th Amir-al-Momenin and Hamzeh Brigades from
the 9th Badr Division entered Iraq in a centralized fashion from the Mehran
operational axis.
Reconnaissance units from all of these brigades, accompanied by GC Intelligence and Operations officers from Ramazan Garrison, also entered Iraq. The GC's Sa'egheh Garrison which runs Air Force and other air operations, was re-opened in Kermanshah.
Three 747 planes shuttled back and forth ferrying troops to enemy bases. GC Air Force Operations Commander Khatami went to Tehran for new orders and necessary coordination.
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