Iran’s heritage experts race to repair damaged sites as negotiations stall
Preservation specialists are pressing ahead, despite no guarantee that the US-Israel war on Iran is over
Iran’s cultural heritage experts are working tirelessly to repair the damage caused by the recent US-Israeli strikes on Iran. Despite a ceasefire, the war has left a trail of destruction across the nation, damaging numerous heritage sites. Over 34,000 properties listed on Iran’s National Heritage List have been impacted, including UNESCO World Heritage Sites like Tehran’s Golestan Palace, Isfahan’s Chehel Sotoun Palace, and portions of the Trans-Iranian Railway.
The director general of national heritage sites, Farhad Azizi Zelani, reported that each site's damage was confirmed within hours of the attacks. The Golestan Palace, a 400-year-old complex blending Persian and European styles, suffered significant damage on the second day of the conflict. Emergency repairs and documentation of the damage are ongoing, with efforts to secure buildings, repair roofs, and catalog collapsed elements.
International bodies, including UNESCO, have been approached for assistance, though no financial support has been extended yet. Iran is pursuing legal avenues to seek compensation for the damage. Despite the ongoing uncertainty, emergency conservation efforts continue, with teams working to secure sites, stabilize damaged sections, and prepare for major restoration work.
Written by urgent.news from The Art Newspaper's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
