A coalition of 30 Iranian non-governmental organizations requested urgent international intervention on Tuesday following damage caused by the conflict. Specifically, the organizations appealed directly to international bodies, including UNESCO, the International Criminal Court, and the International Committee of the Red Cross. Consequently, heritage advocates warned that military strikes pose a serious threat to Iran’s irreplaceable historical monuments.
The joint statement condemned the reported damage to more than 120 historical sites across 18 Iranian provinces. Furthermore, field observations and government reports indicated significant destruction resulting from military engagements between February and April. The organizations emphasized that the destruction of cultural heritage constitutes an unacceptable attack on the collective memory of humanity.
The damaged sites include UNESCO World Heritage landmarks such as Golestan Palace and Naqsh-e Jahan Square in Isfahan. Additionally, historic landmarks including Falak-ol-Aflak Fortress, Azadi Tower, and Chehel Sotoun Palace reportedly sustained significant structural damage. Furthermore, a rocket strike severely damaged the historic Art Research Institute, a non-military site established in 1931.
The coalition also highlighted the complete destruction of the historic Rafi’zadeh Synagogue, along with its irreplaceable ancient Torah scrolls. Consequently, legal experts within the coalition argued that the deliberate targeting of cultural heritage violates the principles of the 1954 Hague Convention. Furthermore, the organizations asserted that the military strikes could constitute serious war crimes under international humanitarian law.
The Iranian cultural heritage protection campaign called for six immediate actions from international heritage organizations. First, the coalition urged global institutions to deploy independent assessment teams to thoroughly document the damage. Additionally, the organizations requested that UNESCO establish dedicated funding mechanisms to support urgent restoration and reconstruction projects.
The coalition also called on international agencies, including Interpol, to prevent the illicit trafficking of cultural artifacts. Copies of the formal appeal were sent to international legal institutions and academic organizations for further review. Meanwhile, the Archaeological Society of Iran and other signatories stressed the urgent need to preserve the country’s cultural heritage.
Global heritage experts warned that failing to protect historical monuments could set dangerous international legal precedents. Therefore, they urged international organizations to fulfill their responsibility to safeguard cultural heritage during armed conflicts. Looking ahead, global institutions are expected to review the submitted documentation to assess emergency restoration needs and potential funding requirements.