Miyāndār: Khāṭirāt-i farmāndah-i basījī, Ḥājj Muḥammad Ṭālibī

"Through the wireless, I stayed in contact with the forces trapped in the reed beds. For two consecutive nights, we attempted to break the siege, but the conditions simply did not allow it. A group of our men, wounded and exhausted, were encircled deep within enemy lines, hidden among the reeds. They endured the scorching heat by day and the bitter cold by night, surviving days of hunger in the hope of an uncertain rescue. Their frail voices over the radio tightened my chest—I knew they were waiting for me. They trusted my strength and determination, hoping I would pull them out. But I was more powerless than ever, like a bird trapped in a cage, hitting walls no matter which way I turned. That sense of helplessness filled me with shame. Only then did I truly understand how weak a human being can be."