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.

In an exclusive interview with the Tehran Times on Monday, Minister of Cultural Heritage and Tourism Seyyed Reza Salehi-Amiri outlined the government’s multi-layered strategy, from international legal action to restoration planning, while assessing the responses of global institutions.

Salehi-Amiri said Iran has engaged organizations such as UNESCO and other heritage bodies to document damage and pursue accountability, but noted gaps between international responses and legal expectations. He added that, despite short-term damage to tourism and infrastructure, the crisis could ultimately strengthen national identity and reshape Iran’s cultural diplomacy internationally.

In the field of cultural diplomacy, what efforts have been made to garner support from the international community and international institutions, and how do you assess the level of cooperation—or silence—among these bodies?

In the wake of one of the most bitter recent incidents in the field of cultural heritage, particularly the damage inflicted on the World Heritage site of the Golestan Palace complex, Iran’s cultural diplomacy moved immediately into action with an active, multi-layered approach grounded in international legal instruments. Extensive correspondence was initiated with international bodies, including UNESCO, ICOM, ICOMOS, as well as their counterpart institutions within the framework of the 1972 Convention (tangible heritage) and the 2003 Convention (intangible heritage).

These communications were conducted both through formal administrative channels and via specialized engagement with international experts, with the aim of clarifying the dimensions of the disaster, documenting the damage, and pursuing legal claims. At the same time, consultations with other institutions such as ICESCO, along with engagement with experts who had previously been involved in Iran’s World Heritage cases, were placed on the agenda.

Our assessment indicates that although there are certain limitations regarding the independence of some international institutions, overall the responses, ranging from condemnations to expressions of readiness to dispatch expert missions and to replies to official correspondence, have been positive and noteworthy. Nevertheless, the level of cooperation still falls short of the expectations of the Islamic Republic of Iran and the requirements of international law. The continuation of this path, particularly after the end of wartime conditions, could contribute to strengthening a global consensus on the protection of humanity’s shared heritage.

What is the government’s plan for the restoration and rehabilitation of the damaged sites, and to what extent will this process be based on global experience and international cooperation?

The government’s approach to the restoration and rehabilitation of damaged heritage sites is based on a dual reliance on domestic capacities and the utilization of global experience. The Islamic Republic of Iran, benefiting from one of the richest pools of expertise, academic knowledge, and master craftsmanship in the field of conservation, has already begun drafting and designing restoration plans at this stage.

These plans will enter the implementation phase after undergoing expert review and approval. Naturally, the government considers the realization of this process contingent upon the end of wartime conditions and the stabilization of the situation on the ground. At the same time, however, it has not waited for external interventions and has proactively initiated preparatory measures.

Meanwhile, the participation of international bodies such as UNESCO and its advisory organizations can contribute to enhancing the quality of restoration, facilitating knowledge exchange, and strengthening cultural diplomacy. It should be emphasized, however, that in many areas, particularly in intangible heritage and traditional arts, Iran itself is the original source of this knowledge and possesses superior scientific and experiential capacities.

Overall, the government’s restoration model is a combination of “specialized self-reliance” and “intelligent international engagement,” which, with a focus on cultural and identity-based priorities, will lead to the restoration of the authenticity of these sites.

From a broader perspective, what impact have these destructions had on Iran’s cultural identity, civilizational capital, and tourism industry?

Undoubtedly, the destruction of cultural heritage constitutes a deep wound to the civilizational fabric of any nation; however, such damage can never be equated with a weakening of Iran’s foundational identity. Iran’s history is replete with upheavals and encounters with numerous invasions—from the campaign of Alexander to the Mongol onslaught—yet what has endured is the essence of Iranian-Islamic culture and its deeply rooted system of meaning.

In the field of tourism, these developments have had significant negative effects, particularly in the short term. Following a period of relatively strong growth in the post-pandemic era, the outbreak of the 12-day war and the subsequent escalation of tensions led to a sharp decline in inbound tourism and a downturn in the domestic market. Tourism revenues, as well as the operations of travel agencies, hotels, and the broader service chain, have been noticeably affected.

However, this situation is inherently temporary. What endures is Iran’s civilizational capital—spanning tens of thousands of years—and its role in shaping human civilization. While these events will be recorded in historical memory, in the long term they may also serve as an opportunity to redefine cultural diplomacy, strengthen Iran’s narrative, and reconstruct its global image.

 What is the government’s plan for the restoration of the damaged sites, and to what extent will this process be based on global experience and cultural-identity prioritization?

In further elaboration of the previous response, it must be emphasized that the restoration process is an identity-driven, civilizational, and strategic project. Accordingly, the prioritization of damaged sites will be based on their historical value, their position within national identity, and their role in both national and global collective memory.

Restoration plans have been designed in accordance with scientific conservation principles, with a focus on preserving authenticity and ensuring minimal intervention. The use of global experience is also envisaged—not as a substitute, but as a complement to enhance standards.

The ultimate objective is the “revival of meaning” and the “reconstruction of the cultural narrative” of these sites at both national and international levels.

 From a broader perspective, what impact have these destructions had on Iran’s cultural identity, civilizational capital, and tourism industry?

While these destructions have caused tangible damage, they above all reflect a confrontation between two approaches in the contemporary world: one rooted in culture, civilization, and historical memory, and the other based on destruction, loss of identity, and disconnection from the past.

For Iran, these events not only do not weaken cultural identity, but may in fact strengthen national cohesion and lead to a deeper re-engagement with its civilizational roots. In the tourism sector, although the country is currently facing a downturn in the short term, in the medium and long term there is potential for a return to growth, and even a leap forward, through the reconstruction of infrastructure and the strengthening of cultural diplomacy.

What is your assessment of the scale and nature of the damage inflicted on the country’s cultural heritage?

In assessing the damage, a distinction must be made between “material value” and “civilizational value.” While some losses can be quantified in monetary terms, such as damage to structures, decorations, and architectural elements, a substantial portion of the damage is inherently immeasurable.

For example, the destruction of mirror work, stucco carvings, and centuries-old decorative elements in palaces and historic buildings is not merely the loss of physical components; it represents the erasure of part of a nation’s historical memory and accumulated artistic heritage.

Accordingly, our approach is based on “legal deterrence” and “principled restoration.” These sites are not only national heritage, but also part of the shared heritage of humanity, and must be safeguarded with such a perspective.

What specific legal measures have been taken, or are planned, to pursue claims in international forums?

In the legal domain, a range of measures has been initiated through a systematic and multi-layered approach. Official correspondence has been conducted with international bodies, including UNESCO, ICOM, ICOMOS, and ICESCO, with the aim of recording and documenting the damage and securing legal support.

In coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Vice Presidency for Legal Affairs, efforts are also underway to pursue a case before the International Court of Justice (The Hague). This process requires the collection of documentation, the preparation of legal briefs, and sustained follow-up through formal international channels.

The primary objective is not only to obtain partial compensation for the damage, but also to establish the international responsibility of the perpetrators, create deterrence, and defend the rights of the Iranian people and their civilizational heritage. It is hoped that through the continuation of these efforts, the groundwork will be laid for a ruling and the realization of justice.

AM