Israeli-US airstrikes damage UNESCO-listed Chehel Sotoun palace in Isfahan

Airstrikes near Isfahan have damaged the Safavid-era Chehel Sotoun palace, part of the UNESCO-listed Persian Gardens. Video from CHTN shows collapsed decorative portions, shattered windows, and debris. The attack also damaged turquoise tiles at Jameh mosque and Ali Qapu palace on Naqshe Jahan square. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei condemned the strike, calling the palace a shared heritage. Governor Mehdi Jamalinejad called the attacks barbaric. Blue Shield expressed concern over violations of international humanitarian law, noting over 120 Iranian museums at risk. UNESCO stated it is monitoring the situation and has shared coordinates of World Heritage sites with all parties. ICOM and ICOMOS urged protection of cultural heritage. The prehistoric Khorramabad Valley and Shapur Khast castle in Lorestan were also hit, damaging two local museums despite blue flags marking cultural sites. The palace, built under Shah Abbas I in the 17th century, features twenty wooden columns reflecting in a pool, creating an illusion of forty columns. Interior murals by Reza Abbasi depict battle scenes and court ceremonies.