Iran Conservationists Assess Damage to Historic Sites After Conflict

Conservationists in Iran are assessing damage to historic sites caused by strikes during the conflict with the United States and Israel. The work includes stabilizing structures at locations in Tehran and other cities following the outbreak of war on February 28.

A fragile truce in place since April 8 has allowed experts to begin evaluating the extent of the harm, though some repairs could take years. At Golestan Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage site in central Tehran listed in 2013, shattered mirrors, broken doors and debris from ornate ceilings were left scattered after shockwaves from strikes on the capital.

The former royal residence, known for its gardens, pools and royal halls that blend 19th-century Persian and European architectural styles, remains closed to the public. A restoration specialist and head of the technical engineering department at the palace told AFP that damage has been assessed at several levels but a more detailed evaluation is still underway.

Teams are currently focused on stabilising damaged structures to prevent further collapse before broader restoration can start. Initial estimates put the cost of work at the site at around $1.7 million, though that figure could rise. Repairs could take two or more years.

"Fifty to 60 percent of its doors and windows are broken," the director of the Golestan Palace museums told the official IRNA news agency. The palace's Mirror Hall, known for its shimmering mosaics, and the Marble Throne were seriously damaged.

At least five UNESCO-listed sites were damaged during the conflict, including Chehel Sotoun Palace and the Masjed-e Jame mosque in Isfahan as well as prehistoric sites in the Khorramabad Valley. The war also affected at least 140 culturally and historically significant locations across the country, according to the head of Iran's National Commission for UNESCO.

These include the Marble Palace, the Teymourtash house and the Saadabad Palace complex in northern Tehran. The head of Iran's National Commission for UNESCO said the shadow of war still affects planning for restoration work. He added that even after repairs, sites may not recover their original character because cultural heritage depends on originality.

" he said. Funding remains a challenge as the government has not announced a restoration budget while dealing with the effects of the war and a U.S. blockade that has disrupted exports. Negotiations are ongoing to secure support from UNESCO and other international organizations, which have limited budgets.

When asked about the overall cost of restoring the damaged sites, the head of Iran's National Commission for UNESCO said all of them are priceless.