{"id":1825173,"date":"2026-03-13T20:39:37","date_gmt":"2026-03-13T17:39:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1825173"},"modified":"2026-03-13T20:39:37","modified_gmt":"2026-03-13T17:39:37","slug":"us-israeli-strikes-damage-irans-cultural-heritage-sites","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1825173","title":{"rendered":"US-Israeli strikes damage Iran&#8217;s cultural heritage sites"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/76348441_6.jpg&#8221;]<\/p>\n<article class=\"sk6xmai\">\n<div class=\"content-area sa7l9jt s9mg977\">\n<section data-tracking-name=\"sharing-icons-inline\" class=\"c75t7t0 hh5424a in-line closed\">\n<div class=\"copy-button-wrapper closed\"><span class=\"svdcmki\">https:\/\/p.dw.com\/p\/5AMGj<\/span><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<figure class=\"s4bcs45\"><source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/76348441_800.webp 50w, https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/76348441_801.webp 129w, https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/76348441_802.webp 352w, https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/76348441_803.webp 575w\" media=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 575px)\" height=\"100\" width=\"100\" \/><figcaption class=\"c1oedowi lofg86o m4xla6a s16w0xvi rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\"><small class=\"copyright c19ed66t ihwmx5 idu7i8u lxmvniw icns9en rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">Image: Majid Asgaripour\/REUTERS<\/small><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text l1evdo4u blt0baw s16w0xvi rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">\n<p>Protected landmarks and <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/middle-easts-cultural-treasures-vulnerable-to-conflicts\/a-73094168\">humanity&#8217;s cultural heritage<\/a> are threatened by the <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/us-israel-war-with-iran\/t-76168615\">US-Israel war with Iran<\/a>.\u00a0UNESCO-listed sites, including palaces and an ancient mosque in <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/iran\/t-18996175\">Iran<\/a>, are among the historical landmarks that have been damaged by <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/iran-war-nears-two-week-mark\/live-76340941\">the US-Israeli strikes<\/a> that began on February 28.<\/p>\n<p><a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/unesco-world-heritage\/t-18559697\">UNESCO<\/a>, the UN&#8217;s cultural body, has expressed its concern about the cultural heritage sites, saying in a statement that it had &#8220;communicated to all parties concerned the geographical coordinates of sites on the World Heritage List as well as those of national significance, to avoid any potential damage.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;UNESCO continues to closely monitor the situation of cultural heritage in the country and across the region, with a view to ensuring its protection,&#8221; the organization added.<\/p>\n<div class=\"embed yt-wrapper\"><\/div>\n<p>Here is a list of the cultural heritage sites that have been damaged to date, according to various reports.<\/p>\n<h2>1. Golestan Palace, Tehran<\/h2>\n<p>One of the Iranian capital&#8217;s oldest historic monuments and Tehran&#8217;s\u00a0only UNESCO\u2011listed World Heritage Site, the Golestan Palace is a complex of eight palatial structures that was first\u00a0built in the 1500s.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"placeholder-image master_landscape big\"><img data-format=\"MASTER_LANDSCAPE\" data-id=\"76193319\" data-url=\"https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/76193319_${formatId}.jpg\" data-aspect-ratio=\"16\/9\" alt=\"Debris in the Golestan Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which has suffered damage from US-Israeli military strikes on March 3.\"><figcaption class=\"img-caption\">The Golestan Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, suffered damage from US-Israeli military strikes on March 2<small class=\"copyright\">Image: Tasnimnews\/ZUMA Press\/IMAGO<\/small><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>UNESCO has confirmed that Golestan Palace\u00a0was damaged following a March 2 missile strike on nearby Arag Square.<\/p>\n<p>The damage includes shattered mirrored ceilings, broken archways, blown\u2011out windows and debris inside halls.<\/p>\n<h2>2. Chehel Sotoun Palace, Isfahan<\/h2>\n<p>Known for its meticulously detailed frescoes,\u00a0the palace of Chehel Sotoun is one of the\u00a0most famous historic landmarks of the city of Isfahan, which is located about 450 kilometers\u00a0(280 miles) south of Tehran.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"placeholder-image master_landscape big\"><img data-format=\"MASTER_LANDSCAPE\" data-id=\"76348767\" data-url=\"https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/76348767_${formatId}.jpg\" data-aspect-ratio=\"16\/9\" alt=\"The Chehel Sotoun Palace reflected in its garden pool in Isfahan, in a photo from 2024.\"><figcaption class=\"img-caption\">The Chehel Sotoun Palace reflected in its garden pool in Isfahan, in a photo from 2024<small class=\"copyright\">Image: Mustafa Noori\/Middle East Images\/picture alliance<\/small><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The 17th-century pavilion is part of another UNESCO-listed World Heritage Site, the Persian Gardens.\u00a0The palace was used for imperial\u00a0receptions and ceremonies during the Safavid era.<\/p>\n<p>A large, central, rectangular\u00a0pool\u00a0located right in front of the palace&#8217;s entrance contributes to the\u00a0name of this famous landmark:\u00a0Chehel Sotoun\u00a0means &#8220;40 columns,&#8221;\u00a0referring to the pavilion&#8217;s 20 wooden columns, which, when reflected in the water, appear to double in number.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"placeholder-image master_landscape big\"><img data-format=\"MASTER_LANDSCAPE\" data-id=\"76348894\" data-url=\"https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/76348894_${formatId}.jpg\" data-aspect-ratio=\"16\/9\" alt=\"interior view of the historic Chehel Sotoun Palace is in the city of Isfahan\"><figcaption class=\"img-caption\">Reports have verified the war&#8217;s impact on the Chehel Sotun palace&#8217;s interior, highlighting broken or damaged tiles<small class=\"copyright\">Image: Morteza Nikoubazl\/NurPhoto\/picture alliance<\/small><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>UNESCO confirms that various elements of the palace have been damaged during strikes on an adjacent government building near the city&#8217;s central public square on March 10.<\/p>\n<p>The list of damaged items includes broken tiles, fallen murals, damaged Safavid mirrorwork, cracked frescoes and shattered windows.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"placeholder-image master_landscape big\"><img data-format=\"MASTER_LANDSCAPE\" data-id=\"76348693\" data-url=\"https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/76348693_${formatId}.jpg\" data-aspect-ratio=\"16\/9\" alt=\"Debris at the Chehel Sotoun Palace, in a picture from March 9\"><figcaption class=\"img-caption\">Debris at the Chehel Sotoun Palace, in a picture from March 9<small class=\"copyright\">Image: SOCIAL MEDIA\/REUTERS<\/small><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>3. Masjed-e Jame, or Jameh Mosque of Isfahan<\/h2>\n<p>The blast waves have also damaged the structure, tiles and decorative elements of Masjed-e Jame, Iran&#8217;s oldest Friday mosque, another UNESCO World Heritage Site in Isfahan.<\/p>\n<p>According to UNESCO, &#8220;the monument illustrates a sequence of architectural construction and decorative styles of different periods in Iranian Islamic architecture, covering 12 centuries.&#8221;\u00a0<\/p>\n<figure class=\"placeholder-image master_landscape big\"><img data-format=\"MASTER_LANDSCAPE\" data-id=\"76352158\" data-url=\"https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/76352158_${formatId}.jpg\" data-aspect-ratio=\"16\/9\" alt=\"Pigeons fly over the courtyard of the Jameh Mosque of Isfahan in 2024.\"><figcaption class=\"img-caption\">The courtyard of the Jameh Mosque of Isfahan in 2024<small class=\"copyright\">Image: Morteza Aminoroayayi\/Middle East Images\/AFP\/Getty Images<\/small><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The historic building serves both as a mosque for prayers and as a component of the Isfahan historic bazaar.<\/p>\n<h2>4. Ali Qapu Palace, Isfahan<\/h2>\n<p>Because of its cultural and historical importance, the royal palace of Ali Qapu was also added to UNESCO&#8217;s World Heritage list in 1979.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"placeholder-image master_landscape big\"><img data-format=\"MASTER_LANDSCAPE\" data-id=\"60697077\" data-url=\"https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/60697077_${formatId}.jpg\" data-aspect-ratio=\"16\/9\" alt=\"Interior of the Ali Qapu palace.\"><figcaption class=\"img-caption\">The Ali Qapu palace before the war<small class=\"copyright\">Image: Robert Harding\/picture alliance<\/small><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Ali Qapu Palace has been affected by the strikes on Isfahan; broken windows and doors, as well as dislodged tilework, have been reported.<\/p>\n<p>The palace is located on the western side of Naqsh-e Jahan Square, a center of culture developed under Shah Abbas I, who ruled from 1588\u20131629. The monumental complex of mosques, palaces and bazaars is renowned as a masterpiece of Safavid architecture. The square is nicknamed Nesf-e Jahan:\u00a0&#8220;half the world.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>The Governorate building on the square appears to have been the primary target of the strike that damaged several Isfahan sites.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"placeholder-image master_landscape big\"><img data-format=\"MASTER_LANDSCAPE\" data-id=\"76348831\" data-url=\"https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/76348831_${formatId}.jpg\" data-aspect-ratio=\"16\/9\" alt=\"An explosion occurred near Naqsh-e Jahan Square on March 9.\"><figcaption class=\"img-caption\">An explosion occurred near Naqsh-e Jahan Square on March 9<small class=\"copyright\">Image: Iranian Supreme Leader&#8217;s Office\/ZUMA\/picture alliance<\/small><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>5. Khorramabad Valley prehistoric sites, Lorestan Province<\/h2>\n<p>UNESCO confirms that buildings near the buffer zone of this other World Heritage Site were damaged by shockwaves.<\/p>\n<p>The Khorramabad Valley, which consists of five caves and one rock shelter, provides evidence of human settlement dating back 63,000 years. It was listed by the UN cultural agency in 2025.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"placeholder-image master_landscape big\"><img data-format=\"MASTER_LANDSCAPE\" data-id=\"76352382\" data-url=\"https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/76352382_${formatId}.jpg\" data-aspect-ratio=\"16\/9\" alt=\"Khorramabad Valley site: dry mountainous region with a few trees.\"><figcaption class=\"img-caption\">The Khorramabad Valley is located in the Central Zagros Mountain Range, one of the key routes of human dispersal out of Africa<small class=\"copyright\">Image: Mohammadreza Mahmoodi\/Imchth\/UNESCO\/dpa\/picture alliance<\/small><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>6. Falak\u2011ol\u2011Aflak Citadel, or\u00a0Shapur Khast Castle,\u00a0Khorramabad<\/h2>\n<p>This gigantic fortress was built in the early third century, during the Sasanian era.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"placeholder-image master_landscape right\"><img data-format=\"MASTER_LANDSCAPE\" data-id=\"76348645\" data-url=\"https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/76348645_${formatId}.jpg\" data-aspect-ratio=\"16\/9\" alt=\"a citadel on a hill in iran\"><figcaption class=\"img-caption\">The Sasanian-era fortress was another cultural site struck <small class=\"copyright\">Image: Thomas Schulze\/ZB\/picture alliance<\/small><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Different offices and buildings were reportedly hit by a strike within the castle&#8217;s perimeter, including the citadel&#8217;s archaeology and anthropology museums, though the main fortress structure remains intact.<\/p>\n<p>Five staff members and heritage protection personnel were reportedly injured.<\/p>\n<h2>The &#8216;Blue Shield&#8217;<\/h2>\n<p>In an attempt to protect historical landmarks, authorities in Iran have been unfurling blue-and-white shields atop buildings throughout the country.<\/p>\n<p>The Blue Shield is an emblem that was created during the 1954 Hague Convention to protect cultural property during conflicts.<\/p>\n<p>The Blue Shield International organization has also called for heritage protection in Iran: &#8220;While the protection of human life and dignity must always be the first priority in any crisis, the protection of people is intertwined with the protection of their heritage,&#8221; Peter Stone, president of the Blue Shield International organization, said\u00a0in a statement on March 13.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Cultural heritage is more than a record of the past; it is a tangible anchor for human identity and a shared global asset. It reminds us of how much more we have in common than differentiates us,&#8221; Stone added.<\/p>\n<p>The damage reported to date has largely resulted from shockwaves, debris and explosions from strikes targeting nearby infrastructure rather than direct targeting of the monuments themselves.<\/p>\n<h2>Potential &#8216;war crimes&#8217;<\/h2>\n<p>US President Donald Trump had previously threatened to attack Iran&#8217;s cultural sites back in January 2020.<\/p>\n<p>Military attacks targeting cultural sites are considered war crimes under international law.\u00a0The United States, Israel and Iran have signed conventions to protect cultural heritage, including during conflict.<\/p>\n<p>US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth\u00a0has expressed contempt for &#8220;stupid rules of engagement&#8221;:\u00a0the conventions and laws\u00a0meant to reduce risks to civilians.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The\u00a0US Committee of the Blue Shield said it was\u00a0&#8220;disturbed&#8221; by\u00a0Hegseth&#8217;s statement, and noted that &#8220;the failure to observe international humanitarian law, including numerous international conventions to which the US is a State Party, as well as customary international law, can lead to the commission of war crimes.&#8221;\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text l1evdo4u blt0baw s16w0xvi rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">\n<p>Protected landmarks and <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/middle-easts-cultural-treasures-vulnerable-to-conflicts\/a-73094168\">humanity&#8217;s cultural heritage<\/a> are threatened by the <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/us-israel-war-with-iran\/t-76168615\">US-Israel war with Iran<\/a>.\u00a0UNESCO-listed sites, including palaces and an ancient mosque in <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/iran\/t-18996175\">Iran<\/a>, are among the historical landmarks that have been damaged by <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/iran-war-nears-two-week-mark\/live-76340941\">the US-Israeli strikes<\/a> that began on February 28.<\/p>\n<p><a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/unesco-world-heritage\/t-18559697\">UNESCO<\/a>, the UN&#8217;s cultural body, has expressed its concern about the cultural heritage sites, saying in a statement that it had &#8220;communicated to all parties concerned the geographical coordinates of sites on the World Heritage List as well as those of national significance, to avoid any potential damage.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;UNESCO continues to closely monitor the situation of cultural heritage in the country and across the region, with a view to ensuring its protection,&#8221; the organization added.<\/p>\n<div class=\"embed yt-wrapper\"><\/div>\n<p>Here is a list of the cultural heritage sites that have been damaged to date, according to various reports.<\/p>\n<h2>1. Golestan Palace, Tehran<\/h2>\n<p>One of the Iranian capital&#8217;s oldest historic monuments and Tehran&#8217;s\u00a0only UNESCO\u2011listed World Heritage Site, the Golestan Palace is a complex of eight palatial structures that was first\u00a0built in the 1500s.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"placeholder-image master_landscape big\"><img data-format=\"MASTER_LANDSCAPE\" data-id=\"76193319\" data-url=\"https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/76193319_${formatId}.jpg\" data-aspect-ratio=\"16\/9\" alt=\"Debris in the Golestan Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which has suffered damage from US-Israeli military strikes on March 3.\"><figcaption class=\"img-caption\">The Golestan Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, suffered damage from US-Israeli military strikes on March 2<small class=\"copyright\">Image: Tasnimnews\/ZUMA Press\/IMAGO<\/small><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>UNESCO has confirmed that Golestan Palace\u00a0was damaged following a March 2 missile strike on nearby Arag Square.<\/p>\n<p>The damage includes shattered mirrored ceilings, broken archways, blown\u2011out windows and debris inside halls.<\/p>\n<h2>2. Chehel Sotoun Palace, Isfahan<\/h2>\n<p>Known for its meticulously detailed frescoes,\u00a0the palace of Chehel Sotoun is one of the\u00a0most famous historic landmarks of the city of Isfahan, which is located about 450 kilometers\u00a0(280 miles) south of Tehran.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"placeholder-image master_landscape big\"><img data-format=\"MASTER_LANDSCAPE\" data-id=\"76348767\" data-url=\"https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/76348767_${formatId}.jpg\" data-aspect-ratio=\"16\/9\" alt=\"The Chehel Sotoun Palace reflected in its garden pool in Isfahan, in a photo from 2024.\"><figcaption class=\"img-caption\">The Chehel Sotoun Palace reflected in its garden pool in Isfahan, in a photo from 2024<small class=\"copyright\">Image: Mustafa Noori\/Middle East Images\/picture alliance<\/small><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The 17th-century pavilion is part of another UNESCO-listed World Heritage Site, the Persian Gardens.\u00a0The palace was used for imperial\u00a0receptions and ceremonies during the Safavid era.<\/p>\n<p>A large, central, rectangular\u00a0pool\u00a0located right in front of the palace&#8217;s entrance contributes to the\u00a0name of this famous landmark:\u00a0Chehel Sotoun\u00a0means &#8220;40 columns,&#8221;\u00a0referring to the pavilion&#8217;s 20 wooden columns, which, when reflected in the water, appear to double in number.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"placeholder-image master_landscape big\"><img data-format=\"MASTER_LANDSCAPE\" data-id=\"76348894\" data-url=\"https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/76348894_${formatId}.jpg\" data-aspect-ratio=\"16\/9\" alt=\"interior view of the historic Chehel Sotoun Palace is in the city of Isfahan\"><figcaption class=\"img-caption\">Reports have verified the war&#8217;s impact on the Chehel Sotun palace&#8217;s interior, highlighting broken or damaged tiles<small class=\"copyright\">Image: Morteza Nikoubazl\/NurPhoto\/picture alliance<\/small><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>UNESCO confirms that various elements of the palace have been damaged during strikes on an adjacent government building near the city&#8217;s central public square on March 10.<\/p>\n<p>The list of damaged items includes broken tiles, fallen murals, damaged Safavid mirrorwork, cracked frescoes and shattered windows.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"placeholder-image master_landscape big\"><img data-format=\"MASTER_LANDSCAPE\" data-id=\"76348693\" data-url=\"https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/76348693_${formatId}.jpg\" data-aspect-ratio=\"16\/9\" alt=\"Debris at the Chehel Sotoun Palace, in a picture from March 9\"><figcaption class=\"img-caption\">Debris at the Chehel Sotoun Palace, in a picture from March 9<small class=\"copyright\">Image: SOCIAL MEDIA\/REUTERS<\/small><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>3. Masjed-e Jame, or Jameh Mosque of Isfahan<\/h2>\n<p>The blast waves have also damaged the structure, tiles and decorative elements of Masjed-e Jame, Iran&#8217;s oldest Friday mosque, another UNESCO World Heritage Site in Isfahan.<\/p>\n<p>According to UNESCO, &#8220;the monument illustrates a sequence of architectural construction and decorative styles of different periods in Iranian Islamic architecture, covering 12 centuries.&#8221;\u00a0<\/p>\n<figure class=\"placeholder-image master_landscape big\"><img data-format=\"MASTER_LANDSCAPE\" data-id=\"76352158\" data-url=\"https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/76352158_${formatId}.jpg\" data-aspect-ratio=\"16\/9\" alt=\"Pigeons fly over the courtyard of the Jameh Mosque of Isfahan in 2024.\"><figcaption class=\"img-caption\">The courtyard of the Jameh Mosque of Isfahan in 2024<small class=\"copyright\">Image: Morteza Aminoroayayi\/Middle East Images\/AFP\/Getty Images<\/small><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The historic building serves both as a mosque for prayers and as a component of the Isfahan historic bazaar.<\/p>\n<h2>4. Ali Qapu Palace, Isfahan<\/h2>\n<p>Because of its cultural and historical importance, the royal palace of Ali Qapu was also added to UNESCO&#8217;s World Heritage list in 1979.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"placeholder-image master_landscape big\"><img data-format=\"MASTER_LANDSCAPE\" data-id=\"60697077\" data-url=\"https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/60697077_${formatId}.jpg\" data-aspect-ratio=\"16\/9\" alt=\"Interior of the Ali Qapu palace.\"><figcaption class=\"img-caption\">The Ali Qapu palace before the war<small class=\"copyright\">Image: Robert Harding\/picture alliance<\/small><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Ali Qapu Palace has been affected by the strikes on Isfahan; broken windows and doors, as well as dislodged tilework, have been reported.<\/p>\n<p>The palace is located on the western side of Naqsh-e Jahan Square, a center of culture developed under Shah Abbas I, who ruled from 1588\u20131629. The monumental complex of mosques, palaces and bazaars is renowned as a masterpiece of Safavid architecture. The square is nicknamed Nesf-e Jahan:\u00a0&#8220;half the world.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>The Governorate building on the square appears to have been the primary target of the strike that damaged several Isfahan sites.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"placeholder-image master_landscape big\"><img data-format=\"MASTER_LANDSCAPE\" data-id=\"76348831\" data-url=\"https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/76348831_${formatId}.jpg\" data-aspect-ratio=\"16\/9\" alt=\"An explosion occurred near Naqsh-e Jahan Square on March 9.\"><figcaption class=\"img-caption\">An explosion occurred near Naqsh-e Jahan Square on March 9<small class=\"copyright\">Image: Iranian Supreme Leader&#8217;s Office\/ZUMA\/picture alliance<\/small><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>5. Khorramabad Valley prehistoric sites, Lorestan Province<\/h2>\n<p>UNESCO confirms that buildings near the buffer zone of this other World Heritage Site were damaged by shockwaves.<\/p>\n<p>The Khorramabad Valley, which consists of five caves and one rock shelter, provides evidence of human settlement dating back 63,000 years. It was listed by the UN cultural agency in 2025.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"placeholder-image master_landscape big\"><img data-format=\"MASTER_LANDSCAPE\" data-id=\"76352382\" data-url=\"https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/76352382_${formatId}.jpg\" data-aspect-ratio=\"16\/9\" alt=\"Khorramabad Valley site: dry mountainous region with a few trees.\"><figcaption class=\"img-caption\">The Khorramabad Valley is located in the Central Zagros Mountain Range, one of the key routes of human dispersal out of Africa<small class=\"copyright\">Image: Mohammadreza Mahmoodi\/Imchth\/UNESCO\/dpa\/picture alliance<\/small><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>6. Falak\u2011ol\u2011Aflak Citadel, or\u00a0Shapur Khast Castle,\u00a0Khorramabad<\/h2>\n<p>This gigantic fortress was built in the early third century, during the Sasanian era.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"placeholder-image master_landscape right\"><img data-format=\"MASTER_LANDSCAPE\" data-id=\"76348645\" data-url=\"https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/76348645_${formatId}.jpg\" data-aspect-ratio=\"16\/9\" alt=\"a citadel on a hill in iran\"><figcaption class=\"img-caption\">The Sasanian-era fortress was another cultural site struck <small class=\"copyright\">Image: Thomas Schulze\/ZB\/picture alliance<\/small><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Different offices and buildings were reportedly hit by a strike within the castle&#8217;s perimeter, including the citadel&#8217;s archaeology and anthropology museums, though the main fortress structure remains intact.<\/p>\n<p>Five staff members and heritage protection personnel were reportedly injured.<\/p>\n<h2>The &#8216;Blue Shield&#8217;<\/h2>\n<p>In an attempt to protect historical landmarks, authorities in Iran have been unfurling blue-and-white shields atop buildings throughout the country.<\/p>\n<p>The Blue Shield is an emblem that was created during the 1954 Hague Convention to protect cultural property during conflicts.<\/p>\n<p>The Blue Shield International organization has also called for heritage protection in Iran: &#8220;While the protection of human life and dignity must always be the first priority in any crisis, the protection of people is intertwined with the protection of their heritage,&#8221; Peter Stone, president of the Blue Shield International organization, said\u00a0in a statement on March 13.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Cultural heritage is more than a record of the past; it is a tangible anchor for human identity and a shared global asset. It reminds us of how much more we have in common than differentiates us,&#8221; Stone added.<\/p>\n<p>The damage reported to date has largely resulted from shockwaves, debris and explosions from strikes targeting nearby infrastructure rather than direct targeting of the monuments themselves.<\/p>\n<h2>Potential &#8216;war crimes&#8217;<\/h2>\n<p>US President Donald Trump had previously threatened to attack Iran&#8217;s cultural sites back in January 2020.<\/p>\n<p>Military attacks targeting cultural sites are considered war crimes under international law.\u00a0The United States, Israel and Iran have signed conventions to protect cultural heritage, including during conflict.<\/p>\n<p>US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth\u00a0has expressed contempt for &#8220;stupid rules of engagement&#8221;:\u00a0the conventions and laws\u00a0meant to reduce risks to civilians.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The\u00a0US Committee of the Blue Shield said it was\u00a0&#8220;disturbed&#8221; by\u00a0Hegseth&#8217;s statement, and noted that &#8220;the failure to observe international humanitarian law, including numerous international conventions to which the US is a State Party, as well as customary international law, can lead to the commission of war crimes.&#8221;\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>Protected landmarks and <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/middle-easts-cultural-treasures-vulnerable-to-conflicts\/a-73094168\">humanity&#8217;s cultural heritage<\/a> are threatened by the <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/us-israel-war-with-iran\/t-76168615\">US-Israel war with Iran<\/a>.\u00a0UNESCO-listed sites, including palaces and an ancient mosque in <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/iran\/t-18996175\">Iran<\/a>, are among the historical landmarks that have been damaged by <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/iran-war-nears-two-week-mark\/live-76340941\">the US-Israeli strikes<\/a> that began on February 28.<\/p>\n<p><a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/unesco-world-heritage\/t-18559697\">UNESCO<\/a>, the UN&#8217;s cultural body, has expressed its concern about the cultural heritage sites, saying in a statement that it had &#8220;communicated to all parties concerned the geographical coordinates of sites on the World Heritage List as well as those of national significance, to avoid any potential damage.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;UNESCO continues to closely monitor the situation of cultural heritage in the country and across the region, with a view to ensuring its protection,&#8221; the organization added.<\/p>\n<p>Here is a list of the cultural heritage sites that have been damaged to date, according to various reports.<\/p>\n<p>One of the Iranian capital&#8217;s oldest historic monuments and Tehran&#8217;s\u00a0only UNESCO\u2011listed World Heritage Site, the Golestan Palace is a complex of eight palatial structures that was first\u00a0built in the 1500s.<\/p>\n<p>UNESCO has confirmed that Golestan Palace\u00a0was damaged following a March 2 missile strike on nearby Arag Square.<\/p>\n<p>The damage includes shattered mirrored ceilings, broken archways, blown\u2011out windows and debris inside halls.<\/p>\n<p>Known for its meticulously detailed frescoes,\u00a0the palace of Chehel Sotoun is one of the\u00a0most famous historic landmarks of the city of Isfahan, which is located about 450 kilometers\u00a0(280 miles) south of Tehran.<\/p>\n<p>The 17th-century pavilion is part of another UNESCO-listed World Heritage Site, the Persian Gardens.\u00a0The palace was used for imperial\u00a0receptions and ceremonies during the Safavid era.<\/p>\n<p>A large, central, rectangular\u00a0pool\u00a0located right in front of the palace&#8217;s entrance contributes to the\u00a0name of this famous landmark:\u00a0Chehel Sotoun\u00a0means &#8220;40 columns,&#8221;\u00a0referring to the pavilion&#8217;s 20 wooden columns, which, when reflected in the water, appear to double in number.<\/p>\n<p>UNESCO confirms that various elements of the palace have been damaged during strikes on an adjacent government building near the city&#8217;s central public square on March 10.<\/p>\n<p>The list of damaged items includes broken tiles, fallen murals, damaged Safavid mirrorwork, cracked frescoes and shattered windows.<\/p>\n<p>The blast waves have also damaged the structure, tiles and decorative elements of Masjed-e Jame, Iran&#8217;s oldest Friday mosque, another UNESCO World Heritage Site in Isfahan.<\/p>\n<p>According to UNESCO, &#8220;the monument illustrates a sequence of architectural construction and decorative styles of different periods in Iranian Islamic architecture, covering 12 centuries.&#8221;\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The historic building serves both as a mosque for prayers and as a component of the Isfahan historic bazaar.<\/p>\n<p>Because of its cultural and historical importance, the royal palace of Ali Qapu was also added to UNESCO&#8217;s World Heritage list in 1979.<\/p>\n<p>Ali Qapu Palace has been affected by the strikes on Isfahan; broken windows and doors, as well as dislodged tilework, have been reported.<\/p>\n<p>The palace is located on the western side of Naqsh-e Jahan Square, a center of culture developed under Shah Abbas I, who ruled from 1588\u20131629. The monumental complex of mosques, palaces and bazaars is renowned as a masterpiece of Safavid architecture. The square is nicknamed Nesf-e Jahan:\u00a0&#8220;half the world.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>The Governorate building on the square appears to have been the primary target of the strike that damaged several Isfahan sites.<\/p>\n<p>UNESCO confirms that buildings near the buffer zone of this other World Heritage Site were damaged by shockwaves.<\/p>\n<p>The Khorramabad Valley, which consists of five caves and one rock shelter, provides evidence of human settlement dating back 63,000 years. It was listed by the UN cultural agency in 2025.<\/p>\n<p>This gigantic fortress was built in the early third century, during the Sasanian era.<\/p>\n<p>Different offices and buildings were reportedly hit by a strike within the castle&#8217;s perimeter, including the citadel&#8217;s archaeology and anthropology museums, though the main fortress structure remains intact.<\/p>\n<p>Five staff members and heritage protection personnel were reportedly injured.<\/p>\n<p>In an attempt to protect historical landmarks, authorities in Iran have been unfurling blue-and-white shields atop buildings throughout the country.<\/p>\n<p>The Blue Shield is an emblem that was created during the 1954 Hague Convention to protect cultural property during conflicts.<\/p>\n<p>The Blue Shield International organization has also called for heritage protection in Iran: &#8220;While the protection of human life and dignity must always be the first priority in any crisis, the protection of people is intertwined with the protection of their heritage,&#8221; Peter Stone, president of the Blue Shield International organization, said\u00a0in a statement on March 13.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Cultural heritage is more than a record of the past; it is a tangible anchor for human identity and a shared global asset. It reminds us of how much more we have in common than differentiates us,&#8221; Stone added.<\/p>\n<p>The damage reported to date has largely resulted from shockwaves, debris and explosions from strikes targeting nearby infrastructure rather than direct targeting of the monuments themselves.<\/p>\n<p>US President Donald Trump had previously threatened to attack Iran&#8217;s cultural sites back in January 2020.<\/p>\n<p>Military attacks targeting cultural sites are considered war crimes under international law.\u00a0The United States, Israel and Iran have signed conventions to protect cultural heritage, including during conflict.<\/p>\n<p>US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth\u00a0has expressed contempt for &#8220;stupid rules of engagement&#8221;:\u00a0the conventions and laws\u00a0meant to reduce risks to civilians.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The\u00a0US Committee of the Blue Shield said it was\u00a0&#8220;disturbed&#8221; by\u00a0Hegseth&#8217;s statement, and noted that &#8220;the failure to observe international humanitarian law, including numerous international conventions to which the US is a State Party, as well as customary international law, can lead to the commission of war crimes.&#8221;\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/us-israeli-strikes-damage-irans-cultural-heritage-sites\/a-76350565&#8243;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/76348441_6.jpg&#8221;] https:\/\/p.dw.com\/p\/5AMGj Image: Majid Asgaripour\/REUTERS Protected landmarks and humanity&#8217;s cultural heritage are threatened by the US-Israel war with Iran.\u00a0UNESCO-listed sites, including palaces and an ancient mosque in Iran, are among the historical landmarks that have been damaged by the US-Israeli strikes that began on February 28. UNESCO, the UN&#8217;s cultural body, has expressed [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[226,74],"class_list":["post-1825173","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-politics","tag-crawlmanager","tag-dw-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1825173","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1825173"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1825173\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1825173"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1825173"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1825173"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}