TEHRAN – The Director of the Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art (TMoCA) has reported extensive damage to over a hundred historical artifacts and several museums and palace-museums in Iran over the past 38 days during the US-Israeli aggressions on Iran in an open letter to the heads of prestigious museums worldwide and the international museum community, calling for global solidarity to protect the shared heritage of humanity.

In the letter, Reza Dabirinejad has expressed deep concern about the continuous threats to Iran's cultural and artistic treasures, emphasizing that these works are not only part of Iran's national identity but also belong to all of humanity, IRNA reported.

“Museums are not merely repositories of humanity's unique treasures; they serve as mirrors reflecting humankind's journey from prehistory to the modern age. They narrate the stories of how civilizations were formed, laws were codified, and the principles of peaceful coexistence among people were established,” he noted.

“However, museums also bear witness to another, lamentable reality: wars, which have repeatedly devastated great civilizations and their cultural and artistic achievements. The historical artifacts preserved in museums are shared heritage of humankind, having survived assaults and crises,” he added.

Referring to the historical role of museums in strengthening peace, dialogue, and coexistence, Dabirinejad has asked his colleagues around the world to prevent the recurrence of another tragedy in the world's cultural history.

“By safeguarding these treasures – whether in the cultural, artistic, or scientific spheres – museums strengthen the bonds between people. Their aim is to create a platform for dialogue, reflection, and mutual respect, thereby building a peaceful and beautiful world,” he stated.

“Museums are not just keepers of objects; they are guardians of human cultures, arts, and knowledge. Conversely, those who pursue war show no regard for the values of art, culture, and human coexistence. They demolish the bridges of connection between cultures and societies and oppose diversity and difference. In times of war, no place, not even museums, is safe from threats,” he said.

“The museums of Iran, from ancient times to the present, signify the vital and unparalleled role of this land in the formation of human civilization and the enrichment of global culture and artistic dialogue. They stand as testament to the unyielding resilience of Iranian civilization against threats and invasions,” Dabirinejad underlined.

“Regrettably, over the past 38 days, Iran has once again been subjected to extensive attacks. These attacks have caused serious and irreparable damage to over a hundred historical artifacts and a number of museums and palace-museums across the country. These items are not only a part of Iran's national heritage but also belong to the shared heritage of humanity,” he rued.

“Any damage to these artifacts is an irreparable blow to human heritage. Museums and cultural heritage, transcending borders, are built for peace, coexistence, and dialogue. The doors of museums are always open to the public, but in the cacophony of war, the gentle voice of culture and art often gets lost,” he stressed.

At the end of the letter, Dabirinejad has emphasized the necessity of immediate notification to the global museum community about the critical situation of Iran's cultural heritage and expressed hope that the collective solidarity of museum professionals can be a barrier against the devastation of war.

“I appeal to you, my esteemed colleagues and custodians of our shared global heritage, to pay special attention to the civilizational and artistic treasures of Iran during this difficult period. Let us, with a unified and resounding voice, prevent further damage to these precious human legacies embedded within this historic land,” he said.

“Furthermore, I request your assistance by informing the global museum community and raising their awareness about the critical situation of Iran's museums and cultural heritage. I firmly believe that the collective voice of the world's museums is a voice for peace and coexistence, and only through the global solidarity of museum professionals can we defend our shared human heritage against war and destruction,” he concluded.

Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art is among the largest art museums in Iran. It has collections of more than 3,000 items, including 19th and 20th century's world-class European and American paintings, prints, drawings, photographs, and sculptures. TMoCA also has one of the most significant collections of Iranian modern and contemporary art.

The architecture of the Museum is also remarkable. While the exterior design of the Museum represents the traditional wind catchers of Iran, the interior design of the Museum resembles the modern Guggenheim Museum in New York.

The US and Israel attacked Iran on February 28 and have so far martyred about 2,000 people including the Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, several officials, and military commanders as well as numerous civilians, including women and children.

The aggressors claimed at the beginning that the attacks were aimed at preventing Iran’s nuclear program but they later revealed their real objectives. For Israel, the maximalist goal is the regime change in Iran and the US seeks to seize the oil and gas resources of that country.

Therefore, besides some military targets, the US and Israel have launched organized attacks against civilian infrastructure, including residential homes, hospitals, refineries, power plants, schools, universities, art and cultural spaces, bookstores, museums, and ancient sites in several cities, causing total or partial damages and injuring innocent people, in an attempt to force the country to surrender to their illegitimate demands.

The attacks prompted a swift response from the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC), with missile and drone launches targeting Israel and several U.S. bases in the region, which have been intensified in recent days.

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