Tehran has sounded an alarm about extensive damage to its cultural and historic sites as a result of the United States-Israel war on Iran.The Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts said on Saturday that at least 56 museums, historical monuments and cultural sites in Iran have been damaged over the course of the war, which began on February 28, state-run news media reported.The heritage sites damaged include the Qajar-era Golestan Palace in Tehran.Which of Iran’s heritage sites have been damaged?The Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) quoted the Cultural Heritage Ministry as saying the most damage has been sustained in Tehran, where 19 locations were affected. These included Golestan Palace, the Grand Bazaar and the former Senate building.The ministry’s statement added that historic sites were impacted in Isfahan, Kurdistan, Lorestan, Kermanshah, Bushehr and Ilam provinces. They included parts of Naqsh-e Jahan Square in Isfahan, which like Golestan Palace is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.The ministry added that museums and historic complexes in the cities of Sanandaj, Khorramabad and Siraf were also impacted.Golestan Palace dates to the Qajar era. This 1789-1925 era is marked by the rule of a Turkic dynasty that unified Iran after decades of civil unrest. The Qajar family made Tehran the capital of Iran.Golestan is a walled palace built by combining Persian craft and architecture with European motifs and styles. It features gardens, pools and ornaments. In Persian, “golesta …
