WANA (Mar 24) – The National Commission for UNESCO in Iran has announced that UNESCO is prepared to dispatch a joint expert mission in collaboration with Iranian authorities to assess and safeguard cultural heritage sites, including the historic Golestan Palace, as soon as conditions allow.

 

This decision comes in the wake of recent U.S.-Israeli attacks on Iranian territory, which have raised concerns about potential damage to one of Iran’s most significant cultural landmarks.

 

UNESCO has officially confirmed receipt of communications from Iranian authorities reporting damage to the Golestan Palace World Heritage site and the surrounding historical fabric in Tehran.

 

The organization expressed deep concern regarding the effects of these events on Iran’s invaluable cultural heritage. Golestan Palace, inscribed on the World Heritage List in 2013, is recognized for its outstanding universal value, making its preservation a matter of international importance.

 

In its correspondence, UNESCO emphasized the importance of adhering to international laws and conventions for the protection of cultural heritage.

 

This includes the 1954 Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict and the 1972 Paris Convention for the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage.

 

These legal frameworks provide the necessary guidance for safeguarding heritage sites, particularly in times of conflict or crisis.

 

UNESCO has requested detailed information from Iranian authorities regarding the extent and type of damages, current preservation measures, and the proposed framework for the expert mission.

 

The organization confirmed that Iran can request special monitoring and technical support under Protocol II of the 1954 Hague Convention. UNESCO further expressed readiness to provide immediate technical assistance, including site documentation, risk reduction, stabilization, and planning for restoration efforts.

 

The joint mission represents a continuation of close cooperation between UNESCO and Iranian authorities aimed at ensuring the protection and preservation of Iran’s cultural heritage.

 

The initiative underscores the international community’s commitment to safeguarding heritage sites and reinforces the importance of compliance with established international standards.

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)