Memoirs of Mrs. Seddigheh Samiei

Compiled by Iranian Oral History Website
Translated by Fazel Shirzad

2026-3-30

Seddigheh Samiei, with a Master of Art’s degree in Nursing and Law, was the guest of the 281st Night of Memory program (July 2017). Samiei stated: “I started working from the spring of 1980 at Valiasr (pbuh) Hospital, which was the first IRGC hospital and was established at Pol-e-Raj St. in Tehran. I had the honor of working with Martyr Dr. Rahnemun, Martyr Asemani, Martyr Sharifi Nia, and Martyr Mortaji. Martyr Mortaji was one of the soldiers who deserted from the Shah’s garrisons [on the eve of the revolution’s victory]. In the year I joined the hospital, he was also doing clinical work there, and I worked with Martyr Asemani in the clinic. Dr. Rahnemun was one of those who truly deserved martyrdom. He was a brave, patient, capable, and excellent-spirited individual. In 1981, I insisted on being sent to Khuzestan, and eventually, I was sent to Ahvaz Hospital. Since there were very few nursing graduates at the time, they wanted to utilize me in the educational department. At that time, there were very few nurses on the fronts and many medics, but very few people who could be trusted and assigned tasks. I was sent to Behbahan to work at the Nursing Training School. Fortunately, I had an acquaintance in the wounded staff of the Ministry of Health and Treatment who would inform me whenever there was an attack so I could go to help. I assisted in the Fath-al-Mubin, Beit-ol-Moqaddas, and Ramadan operations, and from 1981 onwards, I was practically in Ahvaz. The Fath-al-Mubin operation was in Dezful. At that time, I had come to Tehran for leave, and it was the Eid holiday. Our acquaintance called and said an attack was imminent, so I should get back quickly. I was supposed to travel with my parents. I managed to cancel our trip with difficulty and come to Afshar Hospital in Ahvaz. In that hospital, they had placed a tall male nurse in front of the emergency door so that all patients would receive a tetanus shot before entering, and then they would enter, so they wouldn’t have to worry about it inside. This person was nicknamed Mr. Kozazi at the hospital.”

So far, 377 programs of the Sacred Defense “Night of Memory” have been held by the Center for Studies and Research on Culture and Literature of Resistance and the Office of Resistance Literature and Art of the Islamic Art Center. The next program will be held on Thursday, April 22, 2026.

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