Iran’s Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts reported that 131 historical monuments and 64 tourism facilities have been damaged amid ongoing hostilities involving the United States and Israel.

The ministry described the damage as part of what it called sustained military actions affecting civilian and cultural infrastructure.

Reported Damage Breakdown

According to the ministry:

  • 131 historical monuments were affected nationwide
  • 64 tourism-related facilities impacted, including hotels and service agencies
  • Damage is distributed across multiple provinces with varying intensity

Regional Impact

  • Tehran Province: 61 historical sites damaged
  • Isfahan Province: 23 sites damaged
  • Kordestan Province: 12 sites damaged

Additional impacts include:

  • 111 historical sites and museums nationwide
  • 11 historically significant buildings in Tehran
  • 9 sites linked to the Sacred Defense era in Khuzestan
  • 7 broader historical areas containing multiple monuments

Tourism Sector Impact

The report also notes damage to infrastructure supporting tourism:

  • Hotels and accommodation facilities
  • Travel agencies and service providers
  • Other visitor-oriented establishments

Despite this, the ministry cited millions of domestic trips during the reported period, indicating continued internal movement and activity within the country.

Legal and Diplomatic Position

Iranian authorities argue that attacks on cultural heritage constitute violations of:

  • International humanitarian law
  • The UNESCO framework for heritage protection
  • Agreements such as the 1954 Hague Convention and the Geneva Conventions

Officials have called for international bodies to respond more actively to such incidents.

Broader Context

The report is set against ongoing regional conflict dynamics involving:

  • Continued military exchanges between Iran and external actors
  • Strikes and counterstrikes affecting both military and non-military infrastructure
  • Heightened diplomatic tensions over the scope and legality of operations

Iran maintains that its responses to attacks are grounded in self-defense principles under Article 51 of the United Nations Charter.

Summary

Iran’s Cultural Heritage Ministry claims widespread damage to historical monuments and tourism infrastructure as a result of the ongoing conflict involving US and Israeli forces. The report frames these incidents as violations of international law and calls for global attention to the protection of cultural heritage during wartime.