By Humaira Ahad

Seyyed Mehdi Nabi-Zadeh had sent his wife and four children away from Tehran, hoping to keep them out of the reach of the US-Israeli war on Iran.

He stayed behind, but after spending the Persian New Year with relatives in Shiraz, he returned with his family to the capital for a reason that reflected his concern for others: he wanted his colleagues to have the chance to visit their families during the Nowruz holidays.

He arrived home at around 11 pm. Just four hours later, at 3 am on April 7, a US-Israeli strike hit the building.

Seyyed Mehdi, his wife, Zahra Abbasi-Veldi, and their four children, Haniyeh-Sadat, 17, Roghayeh-Sadat, 16, Mohammad-Hadi, 10, and Mohammad-Hassan, just two, were killed in the attack. His father-in-law and brother-in-law, who were staying with the family, also lost their lives, along with ten neighbours.

In a matter of moments, six members of one family, two parents and their four children, the youngest just a toddler, were killed together in the US-Israeli strike.

The full extent of the tragedy emerged in a phone call to the family. When Seyyed Mehdi's mother was told that her son had been injured, she immediately understood what had happened.

“I know my son has been martyred,” she said.

She then asked about his wife. When told that Zahra had also been killed, she asked to speak to her grandchildren. It was only then that she learned that all four children were gone, too.

For Seyyedeh Zahra Nabi-Zadeh, Seyyed Mehdi’s sister, the loss was the culmination of a life marked by responsibility and devotion to family.

In an interview with a Persian news agency, she recalled her brother had spent much of his life looking after others, and his family, she said, had long prayed for martyrdom.

Life devoted to others

Seyyed Mehdi was the third child in the family, but from an early age he had taken on responsibilities well beyond his years.

“My mother always used to say that Seyyed Mehdi was the family's all-purpose fixer, while my father would refer to him as his right-hand man. From his early teens, he had an extraordinary sense of responsibility, and everyone knew they could count on him,” his sister recounted.

He began studying and working simultaneously at the age of 15, she said, adding that he was always concerned about the people around him.

“My brother was one of those young men who grew into adulthood before his time and worried about everyone around him. Whenever someone had a problem, Seyyed Mehdi felt it was his duty to help. It made no difference to him whether the person in need was a relative, an acquaintance or a complete stranger. He was always trying to help people overcome their difficulties.”

Even when his work kept him busy, he would make time for anyone who approached him for help, his relatives recall.

His sister said this willingness to support others was a defining part of his character and extended beyond his family and close circle.

Home, wife and children

At around 20, he met Zahra Abbasi-Veldi at a family gathering. Their acquaintance developed into a relationship, although the physical distance between their families initially raised concerns.

Zahra's family lived in Karaj, located west of Tehran, while Seyyed Mehdi's family was from Shiraz, southwestern Iran. It took some time to convince her family before they agreed to the marriage.

Their life together, however, became one of the most peaceful relationships Nabi-Zadeh said she had witnessed.

“My brother's wife was a deeply devout, patient woman who was devoted to worship and never missed her night prayers,” she said.

The couple had four children. Haniyeh-Sadat was born three years after their marriage, followed two years later by Roghayeh-Sadat. Their two sons, Mohammad-Hadi and Mohammad-Hassan, were born later.

“They both believed in having many children and raising a large family, and they always said that children are a blessing from God. Even amid life's hardships and financial difficulties, they never wavered in that belief,” Nabi-Zadeh said.

According to his relatives, despite his professional responsibilities, Seyyed Mehdi made time for his wife and children. He took an active interest in their education, extracurricular activities and recreation, ensuring that his work did not come at the expense of family life.

His sister also recalled the affection between the couple, saying that whenever a disagreement arose, her brother would often take the initiative to reconcile.

“Even if a minor disagreement arose between him and his wife, he would take the initiative to make peace, showing his affection and bringing her a gift to make amends. Their life together was built on love, respect and forbearance.”

Final days before attack

When the US and Israel began their attacks on Tehran, Seyyed Mehdi sent his wife and children to Karaj, seeking to keep them away from the danger.He remained in Tehran.

Around Nowruz, he joined them as the family travelled first to Mashhad, to pay obeisance at the shrine of the eighth Shia Imam, Ali ibn Musa Reza (AS) and then to Shiraz to visit his mother. They stayed for about five days.

During that period, one of Seyyed Mehdi's close friends was killed in the US-Israeli attacks, a loss that deeply affected him, his sister said.

His mother urged them not to return to Tehran, but Sayyed Mehdi felt he had to go back.

“My mother insisted that they should not return to Tehran, but Seyyed Mehdi said he had to go back so that his other colleagues could also visit their families,” Nabi-Zadeh recalled.

They eventually returned to Tehran and arrived home at around 11 pm. According to his sister, the building where the family lived was targeted by US-Israeli strikes at around 3 am.

The attack killed all six members of the Nabi-Zadeh family. His father-in-law and brother-in-law, who had been staying with them, were also killed, as were several neighbours.

'I know my son has been martyred'

The family learned of the tragedy through a phone call informing them that Seyyed Mehdi had been injured.

His sister recounted that their mother's response was immediate.

“When they informed my mother and told her that Seyyed Mehdi had been injured, she immediately said, ‘I know my son has been martyred.’”

She then asked about her daughter-in-law. When she was told that Zahra had also been killed, she asked to speak to her grandchildren. It was then that she learned that none of the four children had survived.

Desire to get martyred

Nabi-Zadeh reflected on her brother's long-standing attachment to martyrdom.

“Seyyed Mehdi had a different spirit from childhood. I had told him many times, ‘You live like martyrs, and in the end, you will become one yourself.’ He would always laugh and say, ‘Who am I to get martyred? Martyrdom is a very noble end.’ Deep down, I knew he prays for martyrdom,” she said.

Her brother, Nabi-Zadeh added, had prayed for martyrdom not only for himself but for his entire family.

“My brother had prayed for martyrdom not only for himself but for every member of his family. And God granted them the most beautiful end, an end that carried an entire family to the heavens together.”