Iran urged UNESCO to act in the face of threats to its cultural heritage

Published at: 03/07/2025 10:13 AM

Iran's Minister of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Crafts, Reza Salehi Amiri, called on the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to take immediate steps to protect the country's historic, natural and cultural sites from possible Israeli attacks.

In a letter addressed to the director general of the organization, Audrey Azoulay, the Iranian official highlighted the obligation of UNESCO and the international community to defend world heritage, in accordance with the Hague Convention of 1954 and the Convention of 1972.

Salehi Amiri specified that Iran has more than 40,000 registered monuments and 28 sites included in the World Heritage List. He noted that another 50 spaces are considered on the tentative list for future registrations, HispanTV reports.

He warned that the lack of a timely response could cause irreparable damage to protected sites, many of which face direct and indirect threats.

Referring to the agency's reaction, the incumbent stated that “the director general of UNESCO has transmitted this issue as a warning to the Zionist regime”, referring to the letter sent.

On 13 June, Israel carried out bombings against nuclear facilities, military centers, residential areas, health centers, ambulances and relief personnel in Iran, causing fatalities and severe material damage.

Persian authorities have warned that if the conflict intensifies, the world could lose heritage assets of universal value, including Pasargada and Persepolis, as well as the cities of Yazd and Shûshtar, as well as religious monuments of historical relevance.

Mazo News Team