Iran races to repair heritage sites damaged in US-Israeli strikes as ceasefire holds
Heritage specialists in Iran are working to restore 149 damaged historic sites across 29 cities in 18 provinces, a result of US-Israeli airstrikes during a nearly 40-day conflict from February 28 to April 8. Notable locations impacted include UNESCO World Heritage Sites such as the Golestan Palace in Tehran and the Chehel Sotoun Palace in Isfahan. This level of destruction is unprecedented in recent US military engagements, with no similar incidents recorded in two decades of operations in Iraq, Syria, Libya, and Afghanistan. While emergency repairs are in progress, Iran has not received any international financial assistance. Damage estimates are approximately $40 million, and conservation efforts are ongoing, with Japan aiding the restoration of Golestan Palace. The ceasefire remains tenuous amid ongoing threats from President Donald Trump.
Key facts
- US-Israeli strikes on Iran damaged 149 historical monuments across 18 provinces and 29 cities.
- Damaged Unesco World Heritage Sites include Golestan Palace, Chehel Sotoun Palace, and a section of the Trans-Iranian Railway.
- The war began on 28 February and a ceasefire paused it on 8 April.
- Damage estimates are around $40m (7.5 trillion tomans).
- Japan has offered support for Golestan Palace conservation.
- Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art launched 'Art and War' programme and opened an exhibition in August.
- Iran's justice minister Amin Hossein Rahimi said the country would pursue legal mechanisms for compensation.
- Unesco declined to comment on its work in Iran.
Entities
Artists
Institutions
- Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts (MCHTH)
- Unesco
- International Council of Museums
- Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art
- The Art Newspaper
- Reuters
- UNESCO
- Iran Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts
Locations
- Iran
- Tehran
- Isfahan
- Caspian Sea
- Persian Gulf
- Iraq
- Syria
- Libya
- Afghanistan
- Japan
- Khorramabad
- Naqsh-e Jahan Square
- Qeysariyeh Gate
- Chehel Sotoun Palace
- Israel
- United States