Iran war rains collateral damage on heritage sites

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Source: Science Magazine

Original: https://www.science.org/doi/abs/10.1126/science.aeh4832?af=R...

Published: 2026-03-26T06:00:07Z

The Iran war has caused collateral damage to at least 56 cultural sites, monuments, and museums since the US-Israeli attacks began on February 28.[1] In central Tehran, the 18th-century Golestan Palace suffered damage with broken windows, mirrors and doors due to explosions and debris.[1][2] Ceilings collapsed and glass shattered in the 19th-century Sa'dabad complex in northern Tehran.[1] An explosion southwest of Tehran damaged the 3rd-century Shapur Chást Castle in Khorramabad and injured five museum employees.[1] In Isfahan, they report damage to 21 cultural monuments, including the 17th-century Cehel Sotún Palace and the oldest Friday mosque, Masjed-e Jame.[1] All damages are incidental so far, as confirmed by the Iranian Ministry of Cultural Heritage and UNESCO reports.[1][2] Iran's internet blackout makes it difficult to monitor damage globally with satellite imagery.[1] UNESCO has provided the warring parties with the coordinates of protected monuments, and Iran protects the artifacts with packaging and Blue Shield marks on over 100 objects.[1]