03
Cultural & UNESCO World Heritage Sites
10 documented incidents
- Mar 2–5 Golestan Palace (UNESCO), Tehran: Airstrikes on the nearby Pasteur district and Arag Square caused debris and shockwave damage to the 19th-century Qajar-era palace facade and mirrored ceilings. UNESCO confirmed the damage and issued a formal statement that attacking UNESCO-listed property violates international law. [PBS / AP]
- Mar 5 Azadi Stadium, Tehran: Iran's largest sports complex was bombed during intensified strikes on the sixth day of the war. [Al Jazeera, Mar 5]
- Mar 10 Chehel Sotoun Palace (UNESCO), Isfahan: Structural cracks and debris damage reported following extensive strike waves. UNESCO verified the damage. [PBS / AP]
- Mar 10 Naqsh-e Jahan Square (UNESCO) — Ali Qapu Palace, Isfahan: Historic doors and windows shattered by shockwaves from strikes in the area. [Wikipedia]
- Mar 10 Naqsh-e Jahan Square (UNESCO) — Jame Abbasi Mosque, Isfahan: Damage to the iconic turquoise tilework and calligraphic inscriptions. [Wikipedia]
- Mar 10 Masjed-e Jame (UNESCO), Isfahan: Iran's oldest Friday mosque — dating back over 1,400 years — sustained damage to its ancient brickwork and arches. UNESCO confirmed this site was damaged. [PBS / AP]
- Mar 10 Falak-ol-Aflak Castle, Khorramabad: The 3rd-century Sassanid fortress was damaged during strikes on nearby IRGC aerospace facilities. [PBS / AP]
- Mar 12 Safavid-era Dawlatkhaneh Complex, Isfahan: The Rashk-e Jenan (Rashk Palace) was reported destroyed by direct strikes. Other damaged structures include the Rakib Khaneh Mansion, the 15th-century Timurid Hall, and the Ashraf Hall. [Wikipedia]
- Mar 13 Safavid-era buildings, Isfahan: Damage reported to the Rakeb-Khaneh pavilion, Ashraf Hall, and 15th-century Teymouri Hall. [Wikipedia]
- Mar 25 Home of filmmaker Abbas Kiarostami, Tehran: The home of the internationally acclaimed Iranian filmmaker was reportedly damaged. [Wikipedia]
Summary:UNESCO provided the coordinates of all protected heritage sites to both parties in advance and issued a formal warning that damaging these properties violates international law. As of March 27, Iran reports at least 120 historical buildings have been damaged or destroyed. [UNESCO; PBS/AP; Wikipedia]