WANA (Mar 19) – Amid the attacks by the United States and Israel on Iran, more than 21 historical sites in Iran’s Isfahan province have suffered significant damage, according to local officials. Authorities have also announced full readiness to pursue compensation for the losses through relevant international bodies.

 

Based on official reports, Tehran province recorded the highest level of damage with 60 affected historical sites, while Isfahan ranks second in terms of the extent of destruction.

 

On March 8, following attacks by U.S. and Israeli forces on parts of Isfahan, structural vibrations caused tiles inside Imam Mosque and Jameh Abbasi Mosque to collapse and sustain damage. Subsequent blast waves also affected Chehel Sotoun Palace, the Safavid-era Dowlatkhaneh complex, and several other historical landmarks across the province.

 

Mehdi Jamalinejad, Governor of Isfahan, stated during a provincial tourism task force meeting that more than 21 historical sites were seriously damaged during the attacks.

 

He noted that the provincial Directorate of Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts has been tasked with thorough documentation of the damage and the implementation of emergency restoration plans in short-, medium-, and long-term phases to preserve these valuable sites.

 

He added that planning has been carried out to ensure both initial protective measures and safe public access to historical sites for visitors and tourists during the Nowruz holidays.

 

Jamalinejad also emphasized that provincial authorities are fully prepared to pursue compensation for the damages through national and international legal channels. He stressed that safeguarding historical heritage is a national responsibility and that securing the necessary resources for restoration will be seriously followed through official mechanisms.

 

Amir Karamzadeh, Director General of Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts of Isfahan province, also announced during the meeting that the recent conflict has caused approximately $500 million in damages to the province’s cultural heritage.

A view of debris at the historical monument Golestan Palace following an Israeli and U.S. strike on the Justice Building in the area, amid the U.S.-Israel conflict with Iran, in Tehran, Iran, March 3, 2026. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency)