TEHRAN - A group of international researchers and heritage specialists has condemned the damage inflicted on Iran’s cultural heritage during the recent US-Israeli military strikes, warning that the destruction threatens not only historical sites but also global scientific research and collective human memory.

In a statement, the scholars said that since Feb. 28, 2026, intense bombardments by the United States and Israel on Iranian territory, described by the signatories as violations of international law, have already caused “considerable” damage, despite a fragile ceasefire announced overnight on April 7–8.

“We express our solidarity with the Iranian people, who bear, and will continue to bear, the brunt of the consequences of this war,” the statement said.

The researchers cited repeated warnings issued in March by UNESCO about the risks to Iran’s cultural heritage, as well as concerns raised by other international bodies including Europa Nostra, the International Council of Museums (ICOM), the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS), and the US Committee of the Blue Shield.

According to the statement, more than 120 heritage sites have been affected to date. Among the damaged locations are major UNESCO World Heritage sites, including Golestan Palace in Tehran and Naqsh-e Jahan Square and Chehel Sotun Palace in Isfahan.

The scholars said that while some destruction may be attributed to “collateral damage,” other strikes appear to have deliberately targeted cultural institutions and universities in Tehran and Isfahan, raising concerns about attempts to erase historical records and undermine academic infrastructure.
They also pointed to a March 8 strike in Khorramabad, in western Iran’s Lorestan province, which destroyed offices of the Iranian Cultural Heritage Organization. The attack injured staff and left the fate of archaeological archives and scientific documentation stored at the site uncertain. Nearby landmarks, including the historic Falak-ol-Aflak Citadel and a museum, were also damaged.

“These buildings had been identified and their coordinates transmitted to the belligerents by UNESCO to prevent such attacks,” the statement said.

The signatories stressed that Iran’s cultural heritage spans tens of thousands of sites, including 29 on UNESCO’s World Heritage list and around 40,000 registered nationally. They highlighted the country’s significance for global history, citing archaeological evidence dating back more than 300,000 years and major contributions to early agriculture, writing systems and urban development.

“Iran occupies a central place in world history,” the researchers said, warning that the loss of sites, archives and collections would have “irreparable” consequences for the study of ancient, medieval and modern societies.

They also warned of broader environmental damage caused by the conflict, noting that Iran’s diverse landscapes, from mountain ranges to deserts and coastal regions, offer key insights into how past societies adapted to climate change.

The statement called for increased international coordination to monitor and document damage, backing initiatives such as an atlas project by the Society of Iranian Archaeology (SIA) and the Center of Ancient Middle Eastern Landscapes (CAMEL). However, the researchers said such efforts are being hampered by communication disruptions, with internet access in Iran reportedly cut for weeks.

The scholars urged governments, research institutions and universities to support efforts to protect Iranian heritage and maintain academic collaboration. They called for expanded funding, digitization of archives, and increased opportunities for Iranian researchers to work abroad.

“Research that is obstructed is also research in danger,” the statement said.

The signatories also emphasized France’s potential role, citing its long-standing academic cooperation with Iran and its network of regional research institutes. They warned that continued conflict across the Middle East, from Afghanistan to Lebanon, has already constrained research but underscored the need to sustain scholarly work despite such challenges.

Beyond the immediate damage, the researchers warned that attacks on cultural heritage contribute to the erosion of shared historical memory and risk deepening global divisions.

“Such destruction contributes to the dehumanization of societies by obliterating their long, rich and interconnected histories,” they said.

The statement was signed by researchers and academics including Sébastien Gondet, Camille Rhoné-Quer, Sandra Aube Lorain, Marjan Mashkour, Hossein Davoudi and Zahra Hashemi, among others.
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----------  CAP: The Chetel Sotoun palace in the city of Isfahan, central Iran, was badly damaged during bombing on March 11, 2026 ( Morteza Nikoubazl/NurPhoto)