Reports of damage to Iranian cultural heritage sites amid ongoing conflict

The Iranian Ministry of Cultural Heritage and Tourism reported damage to at least 56 museums and historical sites following 15 days of conflict involving Iran, Israel, and the United States. Tehran province recorded the highest number of impacted sites, totaling 19. Notable sites damaged include the UNESCO-listed Golestan Palace, where the Hall of Mirrors sustained damage, and the 17th-century Naqsh-e-Jahan Square in Isfahan, along with the Chehel Sotoun Palace. Additional reports indicate damage to historic structures in the port of Siraf, Bushehr. While Iranian officials attribute the damage to direct Israeli-American bombardment and have termed it a 'war on civilization,' some visual evidence suggests the structural damage, such as shattered glass and falling tiles, resulted from shockwaves and debris from nearby explosions rather than direct hits. UNESCO has formally expressed concern regarding the risks posed to cultural heritage across the Middle East. The Iranian government characterizes these events as war crimes under international law.