Iran has launched a major crackdown following damage to several important cultural sites, including the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Golestan Palace. This was stated by Minister of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts Reza Salehi Amiri.

According to him, it is not only about material damage, but also about interference with the common cultural heritage of mankind. Iran has therefore launched a multi-layered response involving diplomatic negotiations, legal procedures and the actual repair of damaged objects.

Salih Amiri stressed that the country is actively using international mechanisms to document the damage and to hold it accountable. The aim is to accurately map the extent of the damage and prepare the ground for possible legal action.

At the same time, Iran has been communicating extensively with international organizations, including UNESCO, the International Council of Museums and the International Council on Monuments and Sites. These institutions are involved in both damage assessment and the protection of cultural heritage under the 1972 and 2003 international conventions.

CMG