Iran Calls for UNESCO Cooperation to Restore Cultural Heritage It Says Was Damaged in US Strikes

An official from Iran's Ministry of Cultural Heritage and Tourism has called for strengthened international cooperation, particularly from UNESCO, to assess, document and restore Iranian cultural heritage sites the ministry says were damaged in US attacks, according to Iran's state news agency IRNA.

The report, filed from Tehran, did not specify which cultural sites the official was referring to, their locations, or the extent of damage being assessed. It also did not include an independent estimate of damage or immediate confirmation from UNESCO.

Iran and the United States have been in an escalated period of military tension, and Iranian officials have previously linked damage to cultural and civilian sites to US military action, characterizations that have not always been independently verified by third parties.

UNESCO maintains World Heritage Sites in Iran, including ancient Persian sites such as Persepolis, and has in the past engaged with member states on heritage protection and restoration following conflict or natural disasters, typically through technical assessment missions and funding partnerships.

The Iranian official's appeal suggests Tehran is seeking to formalize international documentation of the alleged damage, a step that could be used both for preservation efforts and to support claims about the impact of the strikes.

The report did not include a response from UNESCO or from US officials, and further details on next steps, funding, or timelines for any joint assessment were not available.