Iran (IMNA) – Cities are tested most severely in times of crisis—not only by the resilience of their infrastructure, but also by the ability of local authorities to preserve public order, ensure the uninterrupted delivery of essential services, protect historical and cultural heritage, manage emergency situations, and restore normal life. Under such circumstances, effective urban governance is measured not by rhetoric but by timely decision-making, institutional coordination, and the ability to maintain public trust and confidence.
As one of Iran's foremost historical, cultural, and tourist destinations, Isfahan has, in recent months, sought to continue serving its residents while protecting its invaluable historical assets and cultural resources and ensuring that the city's development agenda remains on track despite extraordinary circumstances.
Against this backdrop, China Newsweek—one of the People's Republic of China's leading and most influential media outlets—conducted an exclusive interview with Isfahan Mayor Ali Ghasemzadeh to examine the city's crisis management, efforts to maintain public services, meet citizens' needs, preserve historical monuments, revitalize tourism, and pursue long-term urban development.
With more than 60 million followers across Chinese social media platforms and a print circulation of 850,000, China Newsweek is ranked among the 38 leading national media organizations recognized by the Chinese central government. Renowned for its in-depth reporting and investigative journalism, the publication sought to present its readers with a comprehensive picture of contemporary Isfahan, highlighting the city's resilience, the condition of its historical sites, its tourism development plans, and the prospects for expanding cultural and economic cooperation between Isfahan and China.
During the interview, Mayor Ghasemzadeh detailed the municipality's initiatives across a range of sectors, including efforts to maintain residents' quality of life, protect the city's cultural heritage, promote tourism, and strengthen Isfahan's international partnerships. These initiatives, he said, could further enhance Chinese audiences' understanding of Isfahan's rich historical, cultural, economic, and tourism potential.
The full text of Isfahan Mayor Ali Ghasemzadeh's interview with China Newsweek follows.
Q: On February 28, 2026—the day the war began—what was your scheduled agenda? When did you first learn that the war had started, and what was the first decision you made?
Qasemzadeh: Like any other day, my schedule was focused on managing the city's affairs from my office at the Isfahan Municipality.
As soon as the airstrikes on Tehran began, I received the news. Given that we had anticipated the possibility of such a conflict, and drawing on the experience of the 12-day war earlier this year, I immediately placed the municipality and all relevant departments on high alert.
Q: What was the first location in Isfahan to be targeted by U.S. and Israeli airstrikes? Were civilian sites also hit on the first day? Were you, municipal officials, or the municipality's headquarters ever targeted during the attacks?
Ali Ghasemzadeh: Several locations were struck simultaneously in the initial wave of attacks. The targets included both military and civilian sites.
The municipality itself was not hit during the first attack, but it did sustain damage in subsequent strikes.
Q: As of April 13, what was the extent of the damage inflicted on Isfahan during the war? We are particularly interested in figures related to civilian casualties, children, and damage to buildings. Compared with the 12-day war in June 2025, was the impact on Isfahan more severe this time?
Ali Ghasemzadeh: The war caused an estimated 10 trillion tomans in damage to residential and commercial buildings in Isfahan. Compared with the 12-day war, the recent attacks were more extensive, with the city struck on a broader scale and with greater intensity.
Q: Following the 12-day war, did the municipality anticipate that hostilities could resume? What measures were taken after the conflict to ensure the city could continue functioning under wartime conditions?
Ali Ghasemzadeh: Yes. Given the nature of the enemy and our previous experience, we considered the possibility that hostilities could resume. Accordingly, all municipal departments were briefed on their responsibilities and prepared to carry out their organizational duties under wartime conditions.
Q: Residents in other Iranian cities have reported sharp increases in the prices of meat, rice, and cooking oil after the outbreak of the war, with temporary shortages of some essential goods. Did Isfahan also experience disruptions in the supply of basic commodities? How long did any shortages last? What measures were taken to ensure supplies, and did the municipality adopt any policies to stabilize prices?
Ali Ghasemzadeh: Price increases in food products generally reflected the prevailing inflation rate and were not directly related to the outbreak of the war. In my view, Isfahan's residents did not experience shortages during this period. The shelves of all municipal chain stores remained fully stocked, and our citizens also helped maintain stability by purchasing only the quantities they needed.
Before the outbreak of the imposed war, the Municipal Organization for the Regulation of Urban Occupations and Agricultural Products, which is responsible for supplying and distributing essential goods, had already taken the necessary steps to secure adequate reserves of basic commodities.
As part of this strategy, the organization implemented a centralized procurement policy, building strategic inventories to prevent shortages in the event of a crisis.
Throughout the war, it managed an extensive distribution network across Isfahan's 15 municipal districts, including 15 Kowsar daily markets, eight specialized markets, eight fruit and vegetable outlets, and the city's Central Fruit and Vegetable Market, which includes wholesale terminals for fruits and vegetables, seafood, groceries, and dried goods.
To prevent potential violations and ensure orderly distribution, the organization also doubled the number of inspectors assigned to each market.
Q: This is one of the best seasons to visit Isfahan. Could you describe the city's most beautiful attractions at this time of year for Chinese readers? If international visitors had only one or two days in Isfahan, which itinerary would you recommend?
Ali Ghasemzadeh: The Chinese people have a deep appreciation for culture and possess an extraordinary historical and cultural heritage of their own.
I would recommend beginning with the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Naqsh-e Jahan Square, where visitors can explore the magnificent mosque that many Chinese tourists know as the "Blue Mosque." I would then suggest visiting Isfahan's renowned handicraft workshops and markets. The city has been recognized by UNESCO as a Creative City of Crafts and Folk Art, making its traditional arts one of its defining attractions.
After that, a leisurely walk along the historic Chaharbagh Avenue offers one of the city's most enjoyable experiences, with many of Isfahan's landmarks easily accessible on foot.
Q: Since Isfahan Municipality adopted its tourism development strategy, which year recorded the highest number of visitors, and how many tourists did the city receive that year?
Ali Ghasemzadeh: Isfahan Municipality's tourism development strategy was launched in 2015. Its primary target audience has always been the city's own residents, with the aim of encouraging them to better understand their cultural heritage and identity so they can, in turn, introduce it to visitors from around the world.
Q: What new initiatives has the municipality introduced over the past two years to attract more tourists?
Ali Ghasemzadeh: One of the municipality's priorities during the current administration has been to diversify tourism beyond its traditional focus on historical and cultural attractions.
We have placed particular emphasis on children's tourism, family tourism, and art tourism, all of which have become key pillars of our urban tourism strategy.
Q: What was your initial forecast for the number of international tourists expected to visit Isfahan in 2026?
Ali Ghasemzadeh: Given the strong cultural and economic ties between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the People's Republic of China, as well as the growing interest of Chinese travelers in Iran's magnificent historical landmarks, we are hopeful that the number of Chinese visitors will eventually reach several million annually.
To better accommodate them, we have proposed the construction of a Chinese-managed hotel in cooperation with our sister cities and partner cities. Once peace is restored and the recent regional tensions have subsided, we intend to pursue this project so that it can provide dedicated accommodation, authentic Chinese cuisine, and around-the-clock Chinese-language guide services for visitors.
Q: Since the outbreak of the latest war on February 28, has the municipality implemented emergency measures to protect the city's historical landmarks, such as relocating valuable artifacts or reinforcing historic buildings? Have all museums been closed?
Ali Ghasemzadeh: Following the outbreak of the war, the municipality implemented emergency protection measures for the historic sites under its ownership. One of the most important was the Isfahan Museum of Contemporary Art, located within the historic Safavid Dowlatkhaneh complex.
As the museum was closed immediately after the conflict began, its valuable collections were promptly packed, secured, and transferred in accordance with established protective procedures.
We Will Restore the Damaged Historic Sites with the Help of Conservation Experts Once Conditions Stabilize
Q: On March 10, during the attack on the Isfahan Governor-General's Office, many nearby historical landmarks were damaged, particularly the wall paintings and ceiling of the historic Chehel Sotoun Palace, where parts reportedly collapsed due to the blast wave. How extensive is the damage? According to experts, can these elements be restored? Has the palace's main structure also been affected?
Ali Ghasemzadeh: During the March 10 attack on the Governor-General's Office, many historic buildings within the Safavid Dowlatkhaneh complex sustained significant damage.
The strike occurred within the primary protected buffer zone of Isfahan's two UNESCO World Heritage sites—the Chehel Sotoun Palace and Garden and Naqsh-e Jahan Square. Numerous historic buildings suffered varying degrees of damage depending on their proximity to the impact site.
Among the affected monuments were Ashraf Hall, the Museum of Decorative Arts, the Museum of Contemporary Art, Chehel Sotoun Palace, Timurid Hall, the Sardar-e Azam Mansion, Ali Qapu Palace, and Tohidkhaneh (now part of the Isfahan University of Art). The extent of the damage varied according to each building's architectural structure and its distance from the explosion.
Buildings closest to the Governor-General's Office—notably Ashraf Hall and Chehel Sotoun Palace—sustained the most severe damage, particularly to their wooden decorative elements, including intricate latticework and the carved wooden ornamentation of traditional orsi windows.
At Chehel Sotoun Palace, sections of the Safavid-era architectural decorations, including its exquisite mirror work, collapsed, while parts of the palace's original wooden roof structure were also damaged.
Field assessments indicate damage to door and window frames, as well as to several decorative wall paintings located around entrances and architectural panels.
At Ashraf Hall, the plaster muqarnas vaulting and painted decorative surfaces developed significant cracks, with evidence suggesting that the fractures may continue to expand over time. Numerous fragments of shrapnel of varying sizes were also recovered from the grounds of the Chehel Sotoun Garden, the Museum of Decorative Arts, and the Museum of Contemporary Art.
Because Tohidkhaneh, Ali Qapu Palace, and Timurid Hall are located farther from the impact site, their damage was largely limited to shattered windows, doors, and other blast-related effects.
We hope that once the current tensions have ended, these historic monuments will be restored by Isfahan's highly skilled conservation specialists in cooperation with international organizations such as UNESCO, allowing them to once again welcome visitors from around the world.
Q: Did you personally visit Chehel Sotoun Palace after the attack to assess the damage? If so, could you describe what affected you most and share your feelings at that moment?
Ali Ghasemzadeh: Yes, I did. It was deeply painful to witness. However, one cannot expect anything different from an enemy that has no respect for history or cultural identity.
Q: Besides Chehel Sotoun Palace, which other cultural heritage sites were damaged? Which historic monument suffered the most severe destruction?
Ali Ghasemzadeh: Naqsh-e Jahan Square and Ashraf Hall were among the historical sites damaged in the attacks. Of all the affected monuments, Ashraf Hall sustained the most extensive damage.
I Am Deeply Attached to Every Centimeter of Isfahan
Q: In peacetime, where did you most enjoy walking in the city? Are there any particular restaurants, cafés, or neighborhoods you would especially recommend? Are these places operating normally today? To what extent were they affected by the war? Was there a place you were particularly fond of that was destroyed?
Ali Ghasemzadeh: I enjoy walking along Chaharbagh Avenue, Sepah Street, and Naqsh-e Jahan Square. These are places where the city's vibrant daily life is always on display.
Many of the damaged sites have already been repaired, while those that sustained more extensive damage are currently being restored. I am deeply attached to every centimeter of this city and to its people. Wherever the people of Isfahan are, there is warmth, vitality, and something worth cherishing.
Q: Once the war is over, what steps will the municipality take to welcome back Chinese tourists and visitors from other countries?
Ali Ghasemzadeh: Once all traces of the war have been cleared from the city, we will be eagerly awaiting the return of tourists. We look forward to welcoming visitors from China and around the world back to Isfahan.
Q: Since February 28, what has been the most difficult decision you have had to make?
Ali Ghasemzadeh: Every decision has been important in its own context, but overall I would not say that I have faced a single exceptionally difficult decision.
Q: Isfahan has come under repeated air attacks. What has been your closest or most dangerous personal experience during the past month?
Ali Ghasemzadeh: The most painful moment was when an old neighborhood was struck in the middle of the night. More than 30 innocent civilians, most of them women and children, were trapped beneath the rubble and lost their lives.
Q: When did you realize that the war was likely to continue for an extended period? After reaching that conclusion, did the municipality introduce any new measures to safeguard people's livelihoods?
Ali Ghasemzadeh: After about a week, it became clear that the United States and Israel had failed to achieve their objectives and were unlikely to do so. However, we believed they would continue the conflict for some time longer.
At no point did we encounter difficulties in procuring or distributing essential goods. Prices increased, but there were no shortages.
Q: May we ask how many children you have? How have you explained the war to them?
Ali Ghasemzadeh: I have two daughters, aged 31 and 24. Both of them have shared the stories of what they regard as the Iranian people's courage and resilience during the war.
Q: During such a stressful period, how do you maintain your own peace of mind? Have you noticed how the people of Isfahan have tried to remain optimistic and resilient throughout the war?
Ali Ghasemzadeh: Because we believe in our goals and in the path we have chosen, we have not been overwhelmed by fear or anxiety. Whenever I need renewed strength or encouragement, I visit the families of those who lost their lives in the war. They embody faith and perseverance.
Every evening, our people gather in the streets to demonstrate their unity and determination. Hundreds of thousands of people wave the Iranian flag and express their support for the country. The level of public participation and solidarity during these nights has been extraordinary.
Q: We understand that during the war the Iranian government delegated greater emergency authority to local institutions. Does Isfahan Municipality now have broader powers than it does under normal circumstances? What is your assessment of this policy?
Ali Ghasemzadeh: In Iran, municipalities are public institutions that already enjoy a significant degree of autonomy and do not operate as direct agencies of the central government.
Each city has an elected local council chosen by the people, and the mayor is elected by that council.
Sanctions Have Not Halted Any Activity in Isfahan
Q: Iran has been under economic sanctions for many years, and while the municipality cannot change the country's broader economic conditions, have you introduced specific policies to strengthen the local economy despite these challenges? Can you point to any successful examples?
Ali Ghasemzadeh: Sanctions have undoubtedly made our work more difficult. However, in many sectors, our young scientists and hardworking people have transformed these challenges into opportunities, helping the country move toward greater self-reliance and domestic production.
In Isfahan, no municipal activity has been brought to a halt because of sanctions.
Q: From the perspective of everyday urban life, what do you see as the biggest difference between Isfahan and Tehran? How would you describe Isfahan's unique place within Iran?
Ali Ghasemzadeh: The people of Isfahan are known for their strong religious values, their sense of humor, and their ability to face life's challenges with resilience. They do not allow difficulties to overwhelm them.
Today, despite differences in views and backgrounds, people across Iran have come together with a remarkable sense of unity and solidarity in what they see as the defense of their country, their national identity, and their values.
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