Iran's Historic Golestan Palace Damaged in Airstrike Amid US-Israel Conflict
Iranian authorities have claimed that one of Tehran's most famous historic buildings, the Golestan Palace, suffered damage from an airstrike as violence escalates in the Middle East. The palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site often called the Versailles of Persia, was reportedly affected by debris and a shock wave following an attack on Arag Square, located in the buffer zone of the site.
Details of the Damage and International Response
The Iranian government shared photos that appeared to show significant damage to the palace, which houses a valuable collection of Iranian and European crafts and gifts from the eighteenth to the twentieth century. According to the images, windows and antique mirrors in the historic building were smashed as a result of the strike. However, these pictures could not be independently verified, and neither Israel nor the US have claimed responsibility or confirmed that such an airstrike took place.
UNESCO released a statement expressing deep concern over the protection of cultural heritage sites during the ongoing conflict. On Monday 2 March, the Golestan Palace in Tehran, a UNESCO World Heritage site, was reportedly damaged by debris and the shock wave following an airstrike to the Arag Square, located in the buffer zone of the site in the Iranian capital, the organization said. UNESCO emphasized that it continues to closely monitor the situation of cultural heritage in Iran and across the region, with a view to ensuring its protection.
The organization has communicated the geographical coordinates of World Heritage sites and those of national significance to all parties involved, urging them to avoid any potential damage. UNESCO stressed that cultural property is protected under international law and called on all parties to respect these protections.
Historical Significance and Iranian Reaction
The Golestan Palace, originally built during Iran's Safavid dynasty in the 16th century and rebuilt to its current form in 1865, is one of the oldest monuments in Tehran. Touraj Daryaee, a professor of history and director of the Dr. Samuel M. Jordan Center for Persian Studies and Culture at UC Irvine, has highlighted its unique structure by referring to it as the Versailles of Persia/Iran.
Following a visit to the site, Iran's cultural heritage minister, Reza Salehi-Amiri, claimed the damage was an attack on Iran's cultural and national identity, according to Iranian media reports. He stated that the incident would be reported to UNESCO, underscoring the symbolic importance of the palace in Iranian heritage.
Broader Conflict Context
The war between Israel, the US, and Iran entered its fourth day on Tuesday, with state media reporting that the death toll in Iran had risen to 787, citing the Iranian Red Crescent. In a sign of escalating tensions, US President Donald Trump told reporters on Monday night that you will be finding out very soon what will happen next in Iran, predicting the conflict could last four to five weeks.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio further warned that the hardest hits are yet to come from the US military, indicating plans for additional attacks. This backdrop of military escalation raises concerns about further damage to cultural and historical sites in the region, as highlighted by UNESCO's urgent calls for protection.
