The governor of Iran’s historic city of Isfahan has accused the United States and Israel of declaring “war on a civilization,” following damage to heritage sites across the country during bombing campaigns.
The most significant confirmed damage so far has been to Tehran’s 14th-century Golestan Palace and Isfahan’s 17th-century Chehel Sotoon Palace. Based on videos and official statements, neither building suffered a direct missile hit, but shockwaves from nearby explosions—and possibly falling debris—shattered glass and caused tiles and masonry to collapse.
Footage from Golestan Palace showed its famous hall of mirrors destroyed, with pieces of intricate mirrorwork scattered across the floor. The palace is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and the UN cultural body expressed concern after the March 2 damage, noting it had shared the coordinates of all listed heritage locations with relevant parties.
In recent days, major explosions have also shaken central Isfahan—a capital during three historical eras—where much architecture dates to the Safavid dynasty (16th–18th centuries). Chehel Sotoon was hardest hit, but broken windows, doors, and dislodged tiles were also reported at Ali Qapu Palace and several mosques around Naqsh-e Jahan Square. Videos taken by residents showed smoke rising from nearby airstrikes.
Isfahan Governor Mehdi Jamalinejad stated the damage occurred despite the coordinates of historic sites being shared with warring parties and “blue shield” signs—marking cultural treasures under the 1954 Hague Convention—being placed on key rooftops.
“Isfahan is not an ordinary city; it’s a museum without a roof,” Jamalinejad said in a speech shared on social media. “This was not done in previous eras—not during the Afghan wars, the Mughal conquest, or even the Iran-Iraq war.”
He added, “This is a declaration of war on a civilization. An enemy with no culture disregards cultural symbols. A country with no history shows no respect for historical signs. A country with no identity places no value on identity.”
An Iranian geologist who worked in Isfahan for years noted in a message to the Guardian that the ancient city is uniquely vulnerable: “Isfahan has long been attacked from below by land subsidence, which is destroying Safavid-era structures, and now from above by the Americans. Isfahan seems to have fewer friends than ever today.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Of course Here is a list of FAQs about the reported damage to ancient heritage sites in Iran framed in a natural tone with direct answers
BeginnerLevel Questions
1 Whats this news about I heard something about ancient sites being bombed
This refers to reports that several historical and archaeological sites in Iran have been damaged or destroyed in recent military strikes These strikes have been widely attributed by Iranian authorities and some international reports to the United States and Israel though official confirmation of responsibility can be complex
2 Which specific ancient sites were damaged
While reports can vary sites frequently mentioned include
Tchogha Zanbil A magnificent 3250yearold Elamite ziggurat a UNESCO World Heritage Site
Persepolis The ceremonial capital of the Achaemenid Empire another UNESCO site Reports often cite nearby areas or concerns over collateral damage
The Naghshe Rostam necropolis An ancient burial site of Achaemenid kings with iconic rock reliefs
3 Why is this such a big deal Arent they just old buildings
These are not just old buildings They are irreplaceable pillars of human history Iran is home to one of the worlds oldest continuous civilizations and these sites represent the origins of writing empire architecture and culture that influenced the entire region Their loss is a loss for all of humanity
4 Who is responsible for protecting these sites
Primarily the national government of Iran is responsible Internationally there are treaties like the 1954 Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict which many countries including the US have agreed to It prohibits targeting cultural heritage
Advanced Practical Questions
5 Has the US or Israel officially admitted to damaging these sites
Typically neither country officially states that cultural heritage was a target Operations are usually described as targeting military or security infrastructure Any damage to nearby historical sites is often framed as unintended collateral damage though this is fiercely debated by critics and heritage organizations
6 What is cultural heritage bombing or cultural cleansing
These are terms used by critics and some
