WANA (May 17) – Iran will formally document and pursue international legal accountability for damages inflicted upon its cultural heritage during recent military strikes by the United States and the Israeli regime, a senior Iranian diplomat announced.

 

Kazem Gharibabadi, the Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Affairs, stated on Sunday that at least 149 historical sites and museums across 20 Iranian provinces were damaged during the recent conflict. The affected sites reportedly include five UNESCO World Heritage sites, seven historical urban districts, and 54 museums.

 

In a statement posted on the social media platform X to mark International Museum Day, Gharibabadi emphasized that cultural property is strictly protected under international humanitarian law during armed conflicts. He argued that the damage represents a flagrant breach of the 1954 Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict.

 

“Museums, historical sites, cultural monuments, artworks, and civilization collections must not fall victim to aggression, military negligence, or disregard for international humanitarian law obligations,” Gharibabadi stated.

 

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the scope of violations by Washington and Tel Aviv extends beyond the illegal use of force and failure to protect civilians, directly targeting the historical and civilizational memory of the Iranian nation.

 

Global Heritage and Legal Recourse

The Deputy Foreign Minister underscored that Iran’s cultural assets constitute a vital part of humanity’s shared global heritage rather than just national property.

 

Moving forward, the Islamic Republic of Iran plans to utilize international legal frameworks to hold the attacking parties responsible. Gharibabadi concluded by asserting that Tehran will not allow external powers to sacrifice the rich history of the Iranian people for contemporary military and political objectives.

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)