TEHRAN – A group of international researchers and heritage experts has condemned the damage done to Iran’s cultural heritage in recent US and Israeli military attacks, warning that the destruction threatens not only historic sites but also global scientific research and humanity’s collective memory.
In a statement, the academics said heavy shelling of Iranian territory by the United States and Israel since February 28, 2026, which signatories call a violation of international law, has already caused “substantial” damage, despite a fragile ceasefire announced on April 7-8.
“We express our solidarity with the Iranian people who have borne and continue to bear the brunt of the effects of this war,” the statement said.
The researchers cited repeated warnings by UNESCO in March about the risks to Iran’s cultural heritage, as well as concerns raised by other international organizations such as Europa Nostra, the International Council of Museums (ICOM), the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS), and the U.S. Blue Shield Commission.
More than 120 archaeological sites have been affected so far, the statement said. Among the damaged sites are major UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including Tehran’s Golestan Palace, Isfahan’s Naqsh-e Jahan Square and Chehel Sotun Palace.
Scholars said that while some of the destruction may have been “collateral damage,” other attacks appeared to have deliberately targeted cultural institutions and universities in Tehran and Isfahan, raising concerns about attempts to erase historical records and undermine academic infrastructure.
They also pointed to a March 8 strike in Horamabad, western Iran’s Lorestan province, in which the offices of the Iranian Cultural Heritage Organization were destroyed. The attack left staff injured and the fate of archaeological archives and scientific documents stored at the site uncertain. Nearby landmarks, including the historic Falak-ol-Aflak citadel and museum, were also damaged.
“These buildings were identified by UNESCO and their coordinates were transmitted to the belligerent forces to prevent such attacks,” the statement said.
The signatories emphasized that Iran’s cultural heritage sites number in the tens of thousands, including 29 on UNESCO’s World Heritage List and approximately 40,000 registered domestically. They emphasized the country’s importance in world history, citing archaeological evidence dating back more than 300,000 years and its major contributions to early agriculture, writing systems, and urban development.
“Iran occupies a central place in world history,” the researchers said, warning that the loss of sites, archives and collections would have “irreparable” consequences for the study of ancient, medieval and modern societies.
They also warned of widespread environmental damage caused by conflict, noting that Iran’s diverse landscapes, from mountain ranges to deserts to coastal regions, provide important insights into how past societies adapted to climate change.
The statement called for stronger international collaboration to monitor and document the damage, supporting initiatives such as the Atlas Project by the Society of Iranian Archeology (SIA) and the Center for Ancient Middle Eastern Landscapes (CAMEL). But researchers said these efforts were hampered by communications failures, with internet access in Iran reportedly cut off for several weeks.
The scholars called on governments, research institutions, and universities to support efforts to protect Iran’s heritage and maintain academic cooperation. They called for increased funding, digitization of archives, and more opportunities for Iranian researchers to study abroad.
“Research that is being obstructed is also research that is at risk,” the statement said.
The signatories also highlighted France’s potential role, citing its long-standing academic cooperation with Iran and its network of regional research institutes. They warned that research was already being constrained by ongoing conflicts across the Middle East, from Afghanistan to Lebanon, but stressed the need to sustain academic research despite such challenges.
Researchers warned that beyond the direct harm, attacks on cultural heritage risk contributing to the erosion of shared historical memory and deepening global divisions.
“Such destruction erases society’s long, rich and interconnected history and leads to its dehumanization,” they said.
The statement was signed by researchers and academics including Sébastien Gondet, Camille Rhone-Ker, Sandra Aube Rolland, Marjane Mashcoeur, Hossein Davoudi and Zahra Hashemi.
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———- CAP: Chetel Sotoun Palace in the city of Isfahan, central Iran, was severely damaged by a bombing on March 11, 2026 (Morteza Nikoubazl/NurPhoto)