During the recent unrest in Iran, Qasem Kordlou made a brief phone call to his wife from a besieged gas station in Qazvin, saying he was surrounded. Hours later, his father found his son among the wounded and carried him to a hospital, where he was declared a martyr. While international media labeled the events broadly as “Iran protests,” local accounts reveal the human stories and circumstances behind the violence, highlighting details that were not fully captured in foreign reports.
Ashura and Historical Echoes
The story draws parallels with the historic day of Ashura in 61 AH, where Imam Hussein (peace be upon him) and his companions faced overwhelming forces. On that day, family members and followers were martyred while defenders stood against relentless attackers. Nearby, Lady Zainab (peace be upon her) watched over the tents of Hussein and witnessed the suffering of the fallen. This historical narrative mirrors the courage and sacrifice seen in Qazvin during the recent unrest.
January 8/9, 2026: Streets Turned Battlefield
On the evening of January 8/9, 2026, armed attackers stormed the streets of Qazvin amid nationwide unrest. According to local accounts, rioters indiscriminately attacked defenders and civilians, burning properties and creating chaos. While foreign media broadly described these events as “protests,” eyewitness accounts reveal a more violent and targeted situation, especially around key locations like the Shahid Babaei gas station.
The Final Call
Leila’s phone rang. On the line was her husband, Qasem:
“Pray for us…”
Alarmed, Leila asked, “What happened?”
Qasem responded: “We’re surrounded… at the Shahid Babaei gas station. One side is on fire, and about 200 attackers are waiting to tear us apart…”
The call cut off, leaving his wife anxious. She immediately relayed the message to her father, who was visiting that night.
A Father Searching for His Son
The father recalls arriving at the gas station amid flames and chaos. Bodies lay scattered, and rioters attacked anyone trying to help. He searched desperately for Qasem among the wounded. Eventually, he found his son’s body — recognizing him by his legs, as his face had been severely injured. Despite the horrifying scene, he carried Qasem to a vehicle to reach a hospital.
The Final Farewell
With his son on his shoulders, the father and his son-in-law transported Qasem to a hospital. Blood flowed from multiple wounds, and an ambulance had to be stopped and boarded along the way. Despite repeated attacks on the ambulance, they reached the hospital, where Qasem was officially declared a martyr.
The father reflects on the human toll of the unrest, recalling the grief of Lady Zainab and noting the stark difference between international headlines and the personal, tragic reality on the ground.
Notes for International Readers
- Qazvin’s Shahid Babaei gas station became a focal point during the unrest on January 8/9, 2026.
- Foreign media often reported the events as widespread “Iran protests,” but local eyewitnesses highlight targeted attacks and personal stories of sacrifice.
- Qasem Kordlou is one among several defenders who lost their lives, and his story underscores the individual human cost behind broader political events.
From: asriran
