Iran Cultural Sites Damaged In US Israeli Strikes
- UNESCO confirms damage to Golestan Palace and historic sites in Iran
- War impact on protected heritage sites raises global alarm
United Nations/Internet/Hyderabad: Damage to several cultural landmarks in Iran has raised concern about the impact of the ongoing conflict on protected heritage sites. United States and Israeli strikes have damaged at least four cultural and historical locations, including palaces and an ancient mosque that hold importance for Iranian identity and world history.
According to the United Nations cultural agency UNESCO, the strikes damaged the Qajar era Golestan Palace in Tehran. Authorities also confirmed damage to the 17th century Chehel Sotoun palace and the Masjed e Jame in Isfahan, which is the country’s oldest Friday mosque. Meanwhile, buildings near the Khorramabad Valley also suffered damage. The valley contains five prehistoric caves and a rock shelter that provide evidence of human occupation dating back to 63,000 B.C.
UNESCO said it verified the damage through its monitoring process. Earlier, the agency had shared the geographical coordinates of these heritage locations with all parties involved in the conflict. It did so to ensure precaution and to prevent harm to protected sites.
At the Golestan Palace complex, the scale of destruction became visible after the strikes. Associated Press video recorded on March 3 showed shattered glass from mirrored ceilings scattered across the floors. Broken archways, blown out windows and damaged molding were also seen around the palace’s glass mosaic walls.
Damage to heritage sites in Iran is not an isolated case. UNESCO said the impact of the conflict has also been felt in other parts of the Middle East. The agency is tracking damage to several heritage locations, including the White City in Israel and sites in Tyre, Lebanon.
Meanwhile, Iran and Lebanon have expressed concern over the speed and extent of the damage. Both countries requested UNESCO to place more cultural sites under enhanced protection. This request came as fears grow that the widening war could threaten more protected landmarks.
U N spokesperson Stephane Dujarric highlighted the broader consequences of modern conflicts. He said, “What is happening is clear to all: In these increasingly modern conflicts, it’s civilians who pay the price, it’s civilian infrastructure that pays the price, and we’ve all seen the destruction of priceless historical heritage.”
Human rights experts also warned that such damage affects communities deeply. Bonnie Docherty of Human Rights Watch explained, “It causes harm to civilians because it damages or destroys a piece of their history that can be significant both to the world and also to a specific region or community.”
Voices from individuals with personal connections to these places have also reflected the emotional impact. Arash Azizi, who grew up in Iran, said historical visits shaped his understanding of cultural identity. He said, “At times where school kids are killed, when human life is at stake, when the stakes are very high, people might think, What are a couple of broken tiles or broken glasses?’”
“I think this is the wrong attitude,” he added. “We need a cultural context. We need to know who we are, and where we come from, and what does it all mean?”
For Shabnam Emdadi, an Iranian American, the damage to Chehel Sotoun Palace holds personal meaning. She said, “Those Iran trips with him were my most fond memories of him at his happiest, where he felt most at home and alive, and I’ll never forget them.”
“Which is why every day when I see the damage of these sites that are the core of my memories, I feel like I am also losing a piece of him.”
Officials have not confirmed whether the damage resulted from US or Israeli strikes. The Pentagon did not comment on the matter. The Israeli Defense Forces also said it was “unfamiliar” with claims that UNESCO protected sites were damaged.
The affected landmarks are among nearly thirty Iranian sites on UNESCO’s World Heritage list. The list includes locations considered to have outstanding value to humanity. UNESCO provides support, technical help and training to countries to preserve such historic locations when they face threats.
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