Avash News: Attacks on Iran’s cultural heritage—in blatant violation of international law—have inflicted more than 7,500 billion tomans in damage to Iran’s civilization.
Elaborating on the extent of the damage, the Minister of Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts said that 140 historical sites have been damaged in 20 provinces, with Tehran (63 sites), Isfahan (23 sites), and Golestan (12 sites) registering the highest levels of damage.
National Registration of the Events
Ali Darabi, Deputy Minister of Cultural Heritage, emphasized the necessity of precise documentation, national registration of sites of events, strengthening resilience, and redefining strategies to safeguard cultural heritage during the “armed peace” period.
Urgent Safeguarding and Documentation
In line with this, the Director of the Golestan Palace World Heritage Site said that urgent measures to safeguard and document fragments and scattered sections of decorative elements of the Marble Throne in the palace have been finalized. These measures were carried out following damage caused by the blast wave to buildings in Arg Square.
Afarin Emami said that damage to mirror works, wooden frameworks, khatam works, etc. has been examined, adding that pieces that are not used to repair the site will be put on display in an exhibition as evidence of the hostility of the enemies.
Request for Help from International Entities
The Head of the National Committee of Iran’s Museums said that a “red alert” has been issued for Iran’s historical sites. Monir Kholghi said that documented technical reports have been sent to international entities, and their urgent involvement has been requested.
“Iran has sent urgent letters to the Secretary-General of the UNESCO National Commission, the President of the World Committee of Museums, and the Regional Council of World Museums in Asia and Oceania, raising a red alert for Iranian World Heritage sites and warning against any military operation near historical sites and museums.”
Iran’s Committee of Museums has called on the international community to issue a statement condemning these actions, impose diplomatic pressure, provide financial and technical support, deploy teams for rapid evaluation, create strategic synergy among international entities, and prevent the continuation of threats against cultural heritage.
Identifying military actions against Iran’s cultural heritage as a crime against the common cultural heritage of humanity and activating emergency funds to clean chemical pollutants are among Iran’s serious demands.
Kholghi said that all cultural centers and museums have been instructed to install the “Blue Shield Emblem” so that these places are identified as official non-military sites.
Any violation of these sites will be prosecuted as a war crime.
