Iran (IMNA) - Seyyed Reza Salehi‑Amiri, the minister of cultural heritage, tourism and handicrafts, said on Sunday that a total of 131 historical sites had been affected, with the most severe losses occurring in Tehran.
“During these attacks, 131 historical sites across the country were damaged, with the greatest losses registered in Tehran,” he stated.
Among the locations affected in the capital was the Golestan Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage site from the Qajar era, which suffered structural and decorative damage. The Saadabad Palace Complex was also hit, with 14 museums within the compound impacted.
In Isfahan, the 17th‑century Chehel Sotoun pavilion sustained significant damage, according to Salehi‑Amiri. Additional sites in and around UNESCO‑listed Naqsh‑e Jahan Square — including the Shah Mosque and Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque — were also affected, with cracks and harm to decorative elements reported.
Authorities noted damage in several other provinces as well, including Kermanshah, Khuzestan, Fars, and Kordestan.
In Kashan, the historic Fin Garden, dating back to the late 16th century and considered one of Iran’s oldest surviving gardens, experienced damage to its pavilions and water features.
Salehi‑Amiri said Iran had reached out to international organizations — including UNESCO, ICOMOS, and the United Nations — but had so far received mostly expressions of concern.
According to Iran’s Foreign Ministry, dozens of universities and research institutions, including Iran University of Science and Technology and Isfahan University of Technology, were also struck.
Cultural heritage sites fall under the protection of international conventions, including those overseen by UNESCO, which classify certain locations as having universal value.
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