Are the US and Israel waging war on Iran’s cultural heritage? | Conflict News
Tehran Reports Extensive Damage to Cultural Heritage Sites Amid Ongoing Conflict
Tehran has raised concerns regarding significant damage to its cultural and historic landmarks as a result of the ongoing conflict linked to the U.S.-Israel military actions in Iran.
On Saturday, the Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts announced that at least 56 museums, historical monuments, and cultural sites have suffered destruction since the conflict escalated on February 28, according to state-run media.
Notable sites affected include the Golestan Palace in Tehran, a historical landmark from the Qajar era.
The Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) reported that the most severe damage occurred in Tehran, where 19 sites were impacted, including the Grand Bazaar and the former Senate building. Additional historic locations in Isfahan, Kurdistan, Lorestan, Kermanshah, Bushehr, and Ilam provinces have also experienced damage, with particular mention of Naqsh-e Jahan Square in Isfahan, which is also recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Other affected areas include museums and heritage complexes in Sanandaj, Khorramabad, and Siraf. The Golestan Palace, constructed between 1789 and 1925 by the Qajar dynasty, is notable for its blend of Persian architecture and European style. A video captured by The Associated Press on March 3 depicted shattered glass and debris scattered across the palace’s floors.
The Grand Bazaar in Tehran, a historic marketplace, has sections dating back to the Qajar dynasty. Naqsh-e Jahan Square, built between 1598 and 1629, features significant mosques and palaces.
In Khorramabad, the Falak-ol-Aflak Castle has also sustained damage, although its main structure remains intact, according to Ata Hassanpour, head of the heritage department in Lorestan.
The Cultural Heritage Ministry’s statement references international law, including the 1954 Hague Convention and UN Security Council Resolution 2347, both of which prohibit attacks on cultural heritage sites. The Hague Convention aims to protect cultural property, while Resolution 2347 condemns unlawful destruction of cultural heritage.
Both the U.S. and Israel maintain that their military operations focus on legitimate military targets. However, accusations have emerged suggesting that civilian infrastructure, including historic sites, has also been targeted. Amnesty International reported that a U.S.-manufactured Tomahawk missile was likely involved in an attack on an Iranian school that resulted in at least 170 fatalities, predominantly among children.
UNESCO has verified damage to numerous historic sites in Iran, including Golestan Palace and two sites in Isfahan: the Chehel Sotoun Palace and Masjed-e Jame, Iran’s oldest Friday mosque. The agency has also identified damage near the Khorramabad Valley, which contains prehistoric caves with evidence of human occupation dating back 63,000 years.
UNESCO had previously provided all parties with geographical coordinates of protected heritage sites to encourage precautionary measures. In total, nearly 30 sites are designated for special protection within UNESCO’s World Heritage list.
In response to what he termed UNESCO’s inadequate reaction, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi criticized the organization’s silence on social media.
Historical context reveals that past conflicts in the Middle East have also resulted in substantial destruction of cultural heritage. The 2003 U.S.-led invasion of Iraq saw extensive looting of the Iraq National Museum. In 2015, ISIL fighters publicly destroyed significant landmarks in Syria and Iraq, including parts of the Mosul Museum.
In recent developments, UNESCO estimates that nearly 200 sites of historical importance have been damaged due to the ongoing conflict in Gaza, which began in October 2023.
