Prehistoric discoveries at Falak-ol-Aflak castle strengthen UNESCO bid

KHORRAMABAD – A major archaeological campaign at the historic mound of Falak-ol-Aflak castle has uncovered important evidence that rewrites the site's history, significantly strengthening Iran's proposal for its expansion on the UNESCO World Heritage list.

By Afshin Majlesi

Shushtar residents call for UNESCO listing of historical urban fabric

SHUSHTAR (Khuzestan province) - Residents of the historic city of Shushtar in Iran’s southwestern Khuzestan province have launched a public campaign calling for the inscription of the city’s historical urban fabric on UNESCO’s World Heritage List, citing its cultural, architectural and living heritage value.

Farming in Persepolis buffer zone limited to protect ancient site, official says

TEHRAN - Iran has imposed strict limits on agricultural activity within the primary buffer zone of Persepolis, the head of the UNESCO-listed site said, as authorities seek to protect the ancient complex from potential damage.

Experimental archaeology at Masuleh: Medieval Iron smelting technology reconstructed

TEHRAN - An interdisciplinary research team has successfully reconstructed a medieval iron smelting and casting complex at the Old Masuleh historical site in northern Iran, revealing advanced metallurgical expertise in the region.

Tehran to host Nowruz summit with ministers, ambassadors from 18 countries

TEHRAN – Iran is set to host an international Nowruz summit with ministers from 18 countries in Tehran from March 27 to 29, 2026, a senior official from the Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts said on Sunday.

Khuzestan mosques among Iran’s nominees for UNESCO collective listing: provincial tourism chief

TEHRAN – Several historic mosques in Khuzestan province have been included among Iran’s nominees for a collective UNESCO listing, said Mohammad Jourvand, head of the Khuzestan Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts Department.

CCTV journalist highlights Khuzestan’s cultural heritage

TEHRAN – A Chinese journalist has said Iran’s southwestern province of Khuzestan has strong appeal for international audiences, citing its rich cultural heritage and diversity.

Restoration of historical texture of Khosf a successful model

TEHRAN--A pilot project has been implemented in Khosf county, South Khorasan province, with the aim of strengthening the role of the people in protection of the historical texture and revival of traditional restoration methods during current Iranian year.

UNESCO-listed Tehran palace hosts exhibit of ebru arts

TEHRAN — An exhibition of paintings created in the ebru style opened to visitors on Monday at Golestan Palace, Tehran’s only UNESCO World Heritage site.

Afghan migrants mark Yalda Night in Mashhad ceremony

MASHHAD – A number of Afghan migrants and local residents gathered in Mashhad on Sunday evening to mark the ancient festivity of Yalda Night at a cultural program held at the Persian Gulf Complex, organizers said.

Yalda Night, a symbol of human connection with nature, production and cultural identity

TEHRAN--Yalda represents deep connection of Iranians with nature, production, and cultural identity that has been passed down from generation to generation, said Mohammad-Hassan Mohebali, who is an eternal figure in cultural heritage.

Ilam scholar mentions ancient cities, monuments eligible for UNESCO registration

By Katayoon Dashti

Habibollah Mahmoudian, PhD, is a specialist in prehistoric archaeology and a faculty member of the Islamic Azad University, Ilam Province. He has also published over 100 books as well as 200 articles in domestic and international publications. In an interview with the Tehran Times, Mahmoudian elaborated on his achievements, the western province’s history, tourism, ancient cities, and monuments that are eligible for registration on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Tourism minister says Yalda can serve as platform for regional dialogue

TEHRAN - Iran’s Minister of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts, Seyyed Reza Salehi-Amiri, has said that the ancient festivity of Yalda should be viewed as a shared cultural framework for dialogue, cohesion and civilizational convergence across the region.

By Afshin Majlesi

Golestan at a glance: forests, ancient monuments and Caspian landscapes

GORGAN - Golestan is one of the least visited provinces in Iran, yet for many travelers who take the time to explore it, the region may quickly become a favorite destination.

Zanjan has golden chances for investment

TEHRAN—Zanjan province has golden chances for investment. It has unique capacities in various fields including tourism.

'Sensitivities on registration of Behzad’s miniature, Samanu by Afghanistan, Tajikistan unfounded'

TEHRAN--Sensitivities regarding global registration of Iranian miniature painter Kamaluddin Behzad’s art (a detailed and symbolic form of painting scenes from history and literature) by Afghanistan and Samanu (a traditional Iranian sweet paste made entirely from mashed germinated wheat) by Tajikistan are unfounded, said Deputy Cultural Heritage Minister Ali Darabi.

By Afshin Majlesi

An inside look at Gorgan’s tribal festival

The 17th International Festival of Tribal Culture, scheduled to take place in Gorgan, the capital of Iran’s Golestan province, from Dec. 16 to 19, is often described as a celebration. But to see it only as a cultural event is to miss its deeper significance.

Nowruz-observing countries meet in New Delhi on safeguarding shared heritage

TEHRAN – A number of cultural officials from countries where Nowruz is observed met in New Delhi on the sidelines of a UNESCO meeting to discuss coordination among member states of the UNESCO-registered festival.

Iran, India discuss expanding cultural heritage cooperation

TEHRAN – Ali Darabi, Iran’s deputy minister for cultural heritage, has met with Vivek Agarwal, India’s deputy minister of culture, in New Delhi to discuss expanding bilateral cooperation in the field of cultural heritage.

Persian art of Ayeneh-Kari added to UNESCO intangible heritage list

TEHRAN — Ayeneh-Kari, the art of mirror-work in Persian architecture, was inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity on Thursday following a decision by the Intergovernmental Committee meeting in New Delhi.

By Afshin Majlesi

Sa’dabad director outlines major restoration, conservation push at former royal complex in Tehran

TEHRAN – The director of the Sa’dabad Cultural-Historical Complex says the former royal residence in northern Tehran has accelerated restoration and conservation work, completing a long-delayed digital inventory of its holdings while advancing new projects to safeguard thousands of stored objects.

Construction of tourism infrastructure begins in Khorramshahr

TEHRAN--Khorramshahr in Khuzestan province is considered one of the largest museum cities of Iran. According to Head of Khuzestan Cultural Heritage Department Mohammad Jourvand, measures have begun to build tourism infrastructure in Khorramshahr.

National conference reviews technology use in salvage archaeology for dam projects

TEHRAN - A national conference on the use of modern science and technology in salvage archaeology for major water and energy infrastructure projects was held in Tehran on Saturday.

Minister urges restoration of Arak bazaar ahead of possible UNESCO review

TEHRAN – Iran’s tourism minister said on Saturday that the historical bazaar of Arak requires urgent restoration work as the government pursues its possible inscription on UNESCO’s World Heritage list.

UNESCO registration of Zandieh complex high on agenda

TEHRAN--Considering that the registration of Zandieh complex of Shiraz on the UNESCO World Heritage list is on the agenda of Fars Cultural Heritage Department, one of its biggest problems is Aseman Hotel, which has created visual distortion in the horizon of Zandieh complex, of which Karim Khan Citadel is perhaps the most important part.

Persepolis launches new conservation program using advanced material and imaging technology

TEHRAN – Iranian restoration teams have launched a new conservation program at the UNESCO-designated Persepolis and the nearby Naqsh-e Rostam site using advanced imaging, special material, and stone-analysis technologies, officials said on Saturday.

‘Forest to Desert’ project, an opportunity for tourism development in Shahroud

TEHRAN--The ‘Forest to Desert’ project is an exceptional opportunity for tourism development in Shahroud county, Semnan province, said Shahroud Governor Mohammad-Hassan Asafari.