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Today 01:06
US, Israel wreak more damage on Iran’s cultural heritage
TEHRAN – The U.S. and Israeli strikes have damaged more than 130 cultural and historical sites across Iran, including museums, palaces and UNESCO-listed landmarks, according to the country’s minister of cultural heritage.
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2026-04-04 01:35
“Guardians of Iran’s World Heritage” to condemn destruction of ancient sites in U.S.-Israeli attacks
TEHRAN – Non-governmental organizations, civil society institutions, and a group of cultural heritage enthusiasts will hold a protest gathering on Saturday, April 4, to condemn attacks by the United States and the Zionist regime of Israel to Iran's national and world heritage sites.
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2026-04-01 00:18
By Afshin Majlesi
Iran UNESCO commission reports widespread heritage damage after strikes
TEHRAN - Iran’s national commission for UNESCO said on Tuesday that 132 cultural heritage sites have been damaged due to U.S.-Israeli airstrikes, after field assessments conducted across multiple provinces, its secretary-general said.
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2026-03-31 12:48
Glimpses of laws and efforts to preserve humanity’s heritage
TEHRAN – On paper at least, the protection of cultural property during armed conflict is one of the most important concerns of modern international law.
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2026-03-31 12:40
Officials cite damage to cultural sites in airstrikes, call for international action
TEHRAN – Iranian officials have raised alarm over airstrikes by the United States and Israel that have damaged cultural heritage sites, prompting calls for accelerated assessments, potential legal action, and stronger international engagement.
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2026-03-31 12:32
By Fatima Karimi
Shockwaves of war on Iran’s historical heritage
TEHRAN – Following consecutive airstrikes by the United States and the Israeli regime from late February through the closing days of March, a number of Iran’s most important historical monuments and sites across multiple provinces have been damaged or destroyed.
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2026-03-31 12:23
By Afshin Majlesi
Minister reveals legal, restoration efforts to protect cultural heritage
TEHRAN – Following extensive damage to some of Iran’s most important cultural heritage sites, including the UNESCO-listed Golestan Palace, Tehran has intensified its diplomatic, legal, and cultural response, describing the attacks as not only material destruction but also an assault on humanity’s shared heritage.
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2026-03-31 12:16
By Afshin Majlesi
Guardians in words, destroyers in action
TEHRAN – Throughout its turbulent history, Iran has faced repeated destruction of its cultural heritage during invasions and upheavals. From the campaigns of Alexander the Great to the Arab invasion and Mongol conquests, the country has survived countless assaults, yet the core of Persian culture and its deeply rooted traditions has remained resilient.
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2026-03-27 23:50
By Mahmoud Zekavat
The enemy and the destruction of history
TEHRAN- Why do you think Alexander set fire to Persepolis when he invaded Iran, or what benefit did the Mongols gain from burning our cities? The issue seems to lie in foundations and cultural manifestations. Setting fire to buildings and urban symbols is to set fire to a nation's culture. In this war as well, the enemy's assault is not directed solely at our human forces and military strength. The enemy seeks to destroy Iran's culture and memory.
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2026-03-27 22:38
Iran sees attacking cultural, historical sites as ‘civilizational war’
TEHRAN - The resilience of the Iranian nation, particularly in moments of severe crisis such as the ongoing U.S.-Israeli war on the ancient country, cannot be adequately understood through conventional political or military frameworks alone.
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2026-03-26 00:19
Expert highlights importance of legal action against war crimes targeting Iran’s historical sites
THERAN - A prominent legal expert and criminologist has stressed the need for judicial action against those responsible for war crimes committed against Iran’s cultural heritage sites amidst ongoing conflicts.
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2026-03-24 18:26
Over 120 historical sites damaged in Iran during the war
TEHRAN – More than 120 historic sites across Iran have been damaged since Feb. 28 following attacks by the United States and Israel, a member of Tehran’s city council said on Monday.
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2026-03-21 01:18
By Afshin Majlesi
Nowruz in the shadow of war
This year, Nowruz does not feel the way it used to. Many things still look the same on the outside. The Haft-Seen table is ready, just like every year. There is green wheat, flowers, a mirror, a copy of the Holy Quran, and a glass bowl with small red fish swimming quietly.
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2026-03-18 20:28
By Mostafa PourAli
Protecting cultural heritage under fire: The fragile role of international law
The deliberate targeting of cultural heritage during armed conflict remains a grave concern. International law provides crucial instruments for protection, anchored by agreements such as the 1972 UNESCO Convention concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage and the 1954 Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict. These conventions represent a foundational effort to safeguard sites of historical and artistic significance, recognizing their intrinsic value beyond purely monetary terms.
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2026-03-18 16:17
By Nafise Hajati
How are Isfahan’s UNESCO and national heritage sites faring after airstrikes?
ISFAHAN - Airstrikes on the Iranian city of Isfahan have severely damaged two of its most iconic heritage sites: the UNESCO-listed Chehel Sotoun Palace and the National Heritage Site Ashraf Hall, alongside damage to over 12 other cultural landmarks.
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2026-03-15 14:39
By Afshin Majlesi
Airstrike shockwaves put Iran’s ancient landmarks at risk
TEHRAN - Although Iran’s enemies have repeatedly claimed that their strikes target nuclear and missile infrastructure, their massive airstrikes have also damaged historic districts and monuments that represent centuries of Persian civilization.
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2026-03-15 12:31
Over 56 Iranian heritage sites damaged in U.S., Israeli attacks
TEHRAN – Iran’s Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts said on Saturday that at least 56 museums, historical monuments and cultural sites across the country had suffered serious damage due to airstrike conducted by the United States and Zionist regime of Israel.
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2026-03-09 16:43
Airstrikes damage 17th-century mosque in Isfahan
TEHRAN – Recent airstrikes on the Iranian city of Isfahan have damaged the historic Imam Mosque, also known as Masjed Jameh Abbasi, according to a provincial heritage official.
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2026-03-06 15:56
Science minister writes to UNESCO chief denouncing humanitarian law violations in attacks
TEHRAN – Iran’s Minister of Science, Research and Technology has urged UNESCO to strongly condemn recent attacks by the United States and Israel against Iranian territory, citing violations of international humanitarian law and UNESCO-protected sites.
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2026-03-06 15:50
Government prioritizes rendering services during emergency conditions
TEHRAN—Rendering services to people during the country’s emergency conditions is the top priority of the Government, say tourism officials.
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2026-03-06 15:45
17 compatriots martyred during U.S.-Israeli terrorist attack to Abhar
TEHRAN—A total of 17 ordinary citizens were martyred following U.S.-Israeli terrorist attack to Pasargadae Tourism Complex in Abhar, Zanjan province.
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2026-03-06 15:41
Qazvin’s mirror and glass production unit damaged by U.S.-Israeli attacks
TEHRAN- Following U.S.-Israeli attacks, a mirror and glass production unit faced heavy damages in Qazvin province, said a cultural heritage official.
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2026-03-05 19:48
Tehran museum director urges protection of cultural heritage during conflict
TEHERAN - The director of Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art (TMoCA) has emphasized the importance of safeguarding museums and historical sites during armed conflict, following recent damage to a UNESCO site in downtown Tehran.
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2026-03-05 17:54
Natanz focuses on preserving historical texture before Nowruz travels
TEHRAN – Officials in Natanz have emphasized the importance of maintaining historical integrity of the ancient city as preparations are underway to accommodate increased tourism during the upcoming Nowruz holiday, which officially starts on March 21.
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2026-03-05 16:41
UNESCO warns of damage to World Heritage following Tehran attack
TEHRAN – The Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization has expressed concern over the protection of World Heritage sites following escalating violence in West Asia, citing damage to the centuries –old Golestan Palace in downtown Tehran.
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2026-03-04 19:42
By Afshin Majlesi
Expert details damage to UNESCO-listed Golestan Palace following airstrike
TEHRAN – Iranian cultural heritage expert Eskandar Mokhtari-Taleqani has elaborated damage to the Golestan Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage site in Tehran, following recent U.S. and Israeli airstrikes on March 1.
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2026-03-04 18:10
Foreign reporters visit Golestan Palace following U.S.-Israeli attacks
TEHRAN—Reporters and representatives from international media visited Golestan Palace which had been damaged due to the recent U.S.-Israeli bombardment.
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2026-03-04 18:07
Eco-lodge units to accommodate those affected by Israeli-U.S. attacks
TEHRAN—Eco-lodge units across Iran are hosting those affected by recent Israeli-American attacks. They are manifestation of civilian responsibility and correlation.
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2026-03-03 19:34
Historical objects of Isfahan, Kashan transferred to secure storages
TEHRAN--In a preventive measure to preserve the historical objects against any possible danger during the U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran, a collection of valuable objects from historical monuments of Isfahan and Kashan has been transferred to secure storages, said deputy head of Isfahan Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts Department.
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2026-02-28 16:40
Bread wrapping; a motherly ritual during Ramadan
TEHRAN-- In the old alleys and traditional neighborhoods of Bushehr province, a motherly ritual called ‘noon pooshi’ (bread wrapping) is held with the arrival of Ramadan.