Iran Reports Extensive Damage to Museums, Palaces After Foreign Strikes
US, Israeli strikes damage 120 Iranian historic and cultural sites.
At least 120 museums, historic buildings, and culturally significant sites across Iran have sustained serious damage following US and Israeli military strikes, according to Ahmad Alavi, head of the Tehran City Council’s Heritage Committee. The attacks, which began on February 28, coincided with the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader and have escalated into a broader regional conflict involving multiple Middle Eastern nations.
Alavi told state television that among the damaged sites are UNESCO-listed Golestan Palace, often compared to France’s Versailles, as well as Tehran’s Marble Palace, Teymourtash House, and the Saadabad Palace complex. Saadabad Palace, one of the capital’s most visited landmarks, includes extensive parklands, museums dedicated to Iranian history, and residences for the Iranian president and governor of Tehran province, with judicial and Revolutionary Guards facilities located nearby.
Iran, whose civilization spans several millennia, possesses a wealth of cultural heritage that has largely remained protected from mass tourism. The recent strikes, however, have placed this legacy at significant risk, drawing attention from heritage experts and international observers.
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According to the United Nations, at least four of Iran’s 29 UNESCO World Heritage sites have suffered damage: Golestan Palace, Chehel Sotoun Palace in Isfahan, Masjed-e Jame mosque in Isfahan, and the prehistoric sites of the Khorramabad Valley. These losses represent a severe blow to the preservation of the country’s historical and architectural heritage.
The ongoing military campaign by the United States and Israel has intensified concerns about the protection of cultural property in conflict zones. Experts warn that continued attacks could irreversibly damage Iran’s archaeological, architectural, and artistic treasures, many of which are irreplaceable symbols of the nation’s history and identity.
International organisations have urged all parties to respect cultural heritage under the 1954 Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict, emphasizing the importance of safeguarding monuments, museums, and historic sites even amid military operations.
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