The governor of Isfahan accused the U.S. and Israel of a “declaration of war on a civilization” as heritage sites across Iran suffer damage from their bombing campaign.
Key Takeaways
U.S.-Israel strikes have damaged several Iranian heritage sites, including the Golestan Palace in Tehran and Chehel Sotoon palace in Isfahan. UNESCO has expressed concern over the damage to these protected cultural landmarks. According to PBS.org, Iran and Lebanon requested additional site protections from UNESCO amid the conflict.
Among the most seriously damaged are Tehran’s Golestan palace, dating back to the 14th century, and the 17th-century Chehel Sotoon palace in Isfahan. Neither building was hit directly by missiles, but shockwaves from nearby blasts and missile debris caused significant damage.
Video footage showed that the Golestan Palace’s celebrated hall of mirrors had been shattered, with shards of intricate mirrorwork scattered across its floor. The palace is a world heritage site under the protection of UNESCO, which issued a statement of concern after it was damaged on March 2nd.
The Chehel Sotoon palace suffered the worst impact, while broken windows and doors, as well as dislodged tilework, have been reported in the Ali Qapu palace and several mosques around Naqsh-e Jahan square. UNESCO has shared coordinates of key cultural sites to all parties involved.
The Isfahan governor, Mehdi Jamalinejad, stated that the damage was inflicted despite efforts to protect these historic sites by circulating their coordinates among warring parties and marking them with blue shield signs under the 1954 Hague convention. UNESCO has also expressed deep concern about the fate of world heritage sites in Iran and across the region.
According to PBS.org, U.S.-Israel strikes on Iran have damaged at least four cultural and historical sites, including palaces and an ancient mosque. The damage includes verified harm to the Golestan Palace in Tehran, Chehel Sotoun palace, Masjed-e Jāme mosque, both in Isfahan, and buildings close to the Khorramabad Valley.
UNESCO confirmed providing all parties with geographical coordinates of heritage sites ahead of time to avoid damage. The impact on cultural sites extends beyond Iran, affecting places like the White City in Israel and Tyre in Lebanon. Human rights advocates warn that such destruction undermines civilian identity and community cohesion.
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