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.

Seyyed Ruhollah Seyyed-ol-Asgari told IRNA on Tuesday that the objects include valuable relics from Chehel Sotoun Palace Museum, Kashan’s Fin Garden and Natanz Archaeology Museum. 

He emphasized the importance of preserving the cultural heritage in sensitive condition of war and said that the staff in charge of preserving the monuments have undergone the necessary trainings regarding distinguishing the fire and confronting the urgent challenges so that they have full readiness in case of any incident. 
Seyyed-ol-Asgari noted: “Historical monuments of Isfahan have faced no damage until now. They are closed until the secure situation returns.”

Pointing to the 1954 Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict, he said that the convention is the milestone of international laws regarding protection of cultural heritage during war time. 

He added that the protocols of the convention consider any attack to the cultural assets as a war crime and adopt heavy penalties for those who do such crimes. 
Pointing to the challenges of preserving the historical monuments during the war and conflict including destruction of the infrastructures, plundering, fire, and long-term effects of explosion waves, he said that preserving the historical monuments needs precise planning, training the staff and international cooperation. 
The United States and Israel have launched deadly military assaults on Iran since early Saturday morning.

KD