Tehran says 131 historical monuments, 64 tourism facilities damaged by US-Israeli assaults

Iran’s Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts says 131 historical monuments and 64 tourism facilities, including world heritage sites, have been damaged by the US-Israeli aggression.

In a report published on Monday, regarding the state of Iran’s cultural and historical monuments since the start of the US-Israeli aggression, the ministry said the enemy has continued its attacks on Iran’s historical and cultural heritage in a flagrant violation of international law.

Based on the geographical diversity of the attacks, Tehran Province, with 61 of its historical locations having been damaged, has suffered the largest.

Isfahan and Kordestan Provinces are in second and third places, with 23 and 12 of their historical locations attacked, respectively.

Based on the functionality of the locations, 111 historical sites and museums across the country, as well as 11 historically valuable buildings in Tehran Province, and 9 locations belonging to the Sacred Defense era in Khuzestan Province have been damaged.

Seven historical areas, which include more than one historical or cultural monument, have also been damaged across the country.

Furthermore, 64 tourism facilities, including hotels, agencies, and other locations providing services to tourists, have been damaged.

Despite these attacks and subsequent damage, 25,898,000 travels across the country from March 16 to March 27 reveal the tenacity and strength of Iran’s tourist industry, according to the report.

Finally, the report called on the international community to break its silence on the US-Israeli aggression, and more importantly, condemn their strikes on Iran’s historical and cultural heritage.

At least 56 museums, historical sites damaged by US-Israeli aggression: Ministry

At least 56 museums and historical sites have been damaged by the US-Israeli aggression, according to Iran’s Ministry of Cultural Heritage.

In a post published on social media platform X on March 15, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi condemned the US-Israeli attacks against Iran’s cultural and historical heritage, saying, “Israel is bombing Iranian historical monuments dating as far back as the 14th century. Multiple UNESCO World Heritage Sites have been struck.”

“It is natural that a regime that will not last a century hates nations with ancient pasts. But where is UNESCO? Its silence is unacceptable,” he concluded.

According to the 1954 Hague Convention, the 1977 Geneva Conventions, the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, and established international law, any attack on historical sites and cultural heritage is a flagrant violation of international humanitarian law and a clear example of war crime.

The US and Israeli armed forces began their military aggression against Iran in late February by attacking 30 targets across Tehran.

Since then, Iranian armed forces have swiftly and decisively retaliated against the strikes by launching barrages of missile and drones against Israeli-occupied territories as well as on US bases in the region.

Iranian officials have stated that targeting US military bases in the region constitutes “legitimate self-defense.”

Referring to Article 51 of the Charter of the United Nations, they say that Iran has the legal right to defend itself against “acts of aggression” by the US or the Israeli regime.

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