Intense airstrikes by Israel and the United States on Iran have severely impacted Tehran’s historic Golestan Palace, a significant UNESCO World Heritage Site originating from the Qajar era. As one of Iran’s oldest monuments, the Golestan Palace symbolized the Qajar dynasty’s authority during the 18th and 19th centuries. According to a report from UNESCO, the damage resulted from a shockwave caused by a nearby strike on March 2, leaving behind shattered windows, damaged ceilings, and broken marble statues.
By the afternoon of March 5, more than 1,300 people had been killed due to the ongoing attacks. The hostilities commenced last weekend under the directive of President Donald Trump without Congressional approval, resulting in the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei. Sussan Babaie, an expert in Iranian and Islamic arts at the University of London, described the damage to the palace as “extraordinarily worrying,” emphasizing its proximity to Tehran’s old bazaar and other 19th-century structures.
Babaie explained that the palace features a network of courtyards and buildings arranged according to ceremonial importance, with more ceremonial spaces located towards the exterior. The internal areas served as living quarters for the ruling family. Currently, the palace complex includes a museum showcasing an extensive collection of Iranian art and manuscripts. The shockwave notably affected the ceremonial areas, including the Ayvan-e Takht-e Marmar, known for its mosaic mirror decorations.
Comparing the opulent room to the Hall of Mirrors at Versailles, Babaie highlighted the extensive damage to decorative elements such as chandeliers and gilded frames. Christiane Gruber, a professor at the University of Michigan, noted the complex’s vast array of artworks and its prominent collection of Islamic manuscripts. These manuscripts, adorned with lavish paintings and illuminations, are vital to the cultural heritage of Islam and Iran.
Gruber recalled President Trump’s 2020 threat to target 52 Iranian sites, including those of cultural importance, following the assassination of military officer Qasem Soleimani. Such threats, she argued, violate international conventions. “UNESCO world heritage sites belong to our collective global heritage,” Gruber stated, emphasizing their need for protection, particularly in times of conflict.
