Iranian archaeologist Sonia Shidrang presented comprehensive assessments detailing severe cultural heritage damage during an international symposium. She spoke at a global webinar hosted by the International Committee on Archaeological Heritage Management. Shidrang revealed that recent military conflict damaged 149 historical sites across 20 Iranian provinces. She emphasized that preserving national heritage demands structured responses grounded directly in international legal frameworks.
The presentation anchored its legal arguments in principles established by the 1954 Hague Convention. Shidrang highlighted that Iran proactively moved movable artifacts to secure locations before military strikes escalated. Furthermore, heritage authorities installed official Blue Shield markers on prominent museums and historical structures. However, five recognized UNESCO World Heritage properties sustained various levels of structural physical damage. Tehran Province suffered the highest concentration of destruction, reporting 83 impacted cultural locations.
Recent official evaluations indicate that repair costs for damaged cultural property exceed €36 billion. Missile blast waves and direct kinetic strikes compromised historic markets, palaces, and regional museums. In response, Iranian conservation teams completed emergency stabilization procedures across key sites such as Golestan Palace. International partners, including South Korea and Japan, pledged preliminary financial assistance to support long-term reconstruction. Meanwhile, domestic ministries continue compiling extensive legal documentation for future international dispute resolution proceedings.
Shidrang proposed a concrete five-point international action plan to protect global cultural assets effectively. The strategy calls for enforcing mandatory no-strike lists and accelerating global Blue Shield implementation protocols. Additionally, the proposal advocates creating joint emergency conservation funds through international heritage preservation organizations. Establishing standing monitoring task forces will ensure rigorous accountability regarding cultural property damage during conflicts. Ultimately, experts stress that safeguarding historical memory remains a collective moral obligation for humanity.