An inside look at how the war has damaged Iran's historic sites
Reuters investigated the damage to Iran's cultural heritage sites, revealing that historical locations like Persepolis and Naqsh-e Jahan Square have suffered from neglect, pollution, and construction encroachment. The report highlights how sanctions and internal mismanagement have accelerated the decay of these UNESCO World Heritage sites, placing Iran's ancient legacy at risk.
Background
- This Reuters investigation examines damage to Iran's cultural heritage sites from military conflict, likely strikes linked to Israel or US operations. Key sites include Persepolis (ancient Achaemenid capital), Naqsh-e Rustam (royal necropolis with rock reliefs), and the Sassanid archaeological landscape in Fars province.
- Iran has 27 UNESCO World Heritage sites, among the highest in the Middle East. The country's pre-Islamic heritage (Elamite, Achaemenid, Parthian, Sassanid) and Islamic-era architecture are both at risk.
- Tensions escalated after the US assassinated General Qasem Soleimani in January 2020; Iran retaliated by striking US bases in Iraq. Trump reportedly threatened to target Iranian cultural sites, which would violate the 1954 Hague Convention protecting cultural property during armed conflict.
- Satellite imagery analysis and on-the-ground reporting track damage from blast waves, shrapnel, and vibrations near military targets. Proximity of sensitive sites to military installations is a recurring issue.