U.S.-Israel Strikes in Iran Damage Cultural Heritage Sites, Raising International Concerns
ISFAHAN, Iran (AP) — Mounting civilian casualties and damage to Iran’s famed cultural heritage sites are the growing costs of the ongoing joint U.S.-Israeli military campaign within the country, according to reports and international observers. The strikes, entering their fourth day as of March 3, 2026, have reportedly killed over 2,000 people, more than half of whom are civilians, according to the U.S.-based advocacy group, Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA).
The conflict is not only claiming lives but also threatening irreplaceable historical and religious landmarks. UNESCO has documented damage to at least four historic sites as a result of the bombing, three of which are located in Isfahan, a city central to Persian history and art. These include the Safavid-era Jama Mosque, Ali Qapu Palace, and Chehel Sotoun Palace, all within the Naqsh e-Jahan square, known locally as “nesf-e-jahan” – “half the world.”
“Having seen nesf-e-jahan, you’ve seen half the world,” explained Dr. Katayoun Shahandeh, a lecturer at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) in London, reflecting the square’s historical significance. The sites represent a golden era of Persian Empire, showcasing stunning blue and turquoise tiling and intricate Islamic architecture crafted by Persian and Armenian artists.
Video footage shared by Iran’s cultural ministry shows damage to Chehel Sotoun Palace following a strike on nearby government offices on March 10. The footage depicts cracked glass and masonry fallen from the walls and mosaics. Israel’s military stated it targeted offices of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in the area. The U.S. did not respond to a request for comment from NPR.
Damage has also been reported at Tehran’s Golestan Palace, described by UNESCO Director Lazare Eloundou Assomo as comparable to the Palace of Versailles in France. UNESCO has communicated the geographical coordinates of these sites to all parties involved in the conflict, urging protection from further attacks.
International law mandates the distinction between military and civilian sites and minimizing damage to cultural heritage. However, the lines are becoming increasingly blurred. U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth recently indicated a loosening of restrictions on U.S. forces’ rules of engagement.
Patty Gerstenblith, an emerita professor of law at Chicago’s DePaul University and president of the U.S. Committee of Blue Shield International, noted that access to satellite imagery of Iranian sites is currently restricted, hindering real-time monitoring of damage.
The destruction is sparking a complex reaction within Iran. While the world expresses concern over the loss of cultural treasures, many Iranians question why buildings appear to receive more attention than human lives. “Why should buildings matter more to the world than the lives of all these children, all these people?” Shahandeh asked. “The tragedy is doublefold – the Iranian people and our heritage and our culture.”
The conflict underscores the vulnerability of cultural heritage in armed conflict and raises questions about the adherence to international laws designed to protect such sites.
