{"id":"f-80ae245e0c-f414a670-381a-5edf-a96f-649b060653da","title":"Tehran Airstrikes: UNESCO-Listed Golestan Palace Reportedly Damaged In US-Israel Attack On Iran","description":"Golestan Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Tehran, was reportedly damaged following US-Israel airstrikes on Iran.","timestamp":1772541511,"category":"international","headline":"Tehran Airstrikes: UNESCO-Listed Golestan Palace Reportedly Damaged In US-Israel Attack On Iran","modifiedHeadline":"Israeli strikes damage heritage site in Tehran","subCategories":["scid_afe28127"],"subcategoriesName":["International Political News"],"region":"IN","bundleMetaData":{"bundleId":"c80449a0-0ad6-472b-8d17-5747dd8f5c83","bundleTitle":"Around the globe","cardData":null},"iabCategoryId":"389","fcSummary":"Amid the conflict, one of Iran’s most treasured cultural landmarks, the Golestan Palace was reportedly damaged.","summary":"Amid the conflict, one of Iran’s most treasured cultural landmarks, the Golestan Palace was reportedly damaged.","ctaUrl":"https://trends.glance.com/newz/news/IN/en/news18/f-80ae245e0c-f414a670-381a-5edf-a96f-649b060653da","sourceUrl":"https://www.news18.com/lifestyle/events/tehran-airstrikes-unesco-listed-golestan-palace-reportedly-damaged-in-us-israel-attack-on-iran-9940685.html","bannerImage":"https://g-mob.glance-cdn.com/public/fc/image/Qv5MHKT2g6_0.webp","content":"

On February 28, 2026, escalating tensions in the Middle East took a dramatic turn following coordinated US–Israel airstrikes on multiple sites in Iran. Tehran responded with retaliatory strikes across

\n\n

the region. Amid the conflict, one of Iran’s most treasured cultural landmarks, the Golestan Palace was reportedly damaged.

According to Iran’s ISNA news agency, parts of the palace complex were affected after an airstrike struck Arag Square in southern Tehran, located within the buffer zone of the UNESCO-listed site. Debris and shockwaves are said to have caused structural damage to sections of the historic complex.

\n\n

What once stood as a gleaming architectural testament to Iran’s royal past now reportedly bears signs of destruction, shattered glass, damaged interiors, and scattered debris disrupting centuries of heritage.

\n\n

A Palace at the Heart of Persian Royal History

Situated in central Tehran, Golestan Palace is one of the oldest historic monuments in the capital. Its origins trace back to the 16th century during the Safavid dynasty, when Shah Tahmasp I is believed to have established Tehran’s early citadel. Later expansions under Shah Abbas the Great included the development of royal gardens and fortified structures.

The complex reached its architectural zenith during the Qajar dynasty (1794–1925), when Tehran was declared the capital. Much of the current structure was rebuilt in 1865 under the supervision of architect Haji Ab ol Hasan Mimar Navai. The palace became both the official residence of the Qajar monarchs and a cultural hub that reflected a fusion of Persian artistry and European architectural influences.

\n\n

During the Pahlavi era (1925–1979), Golestan Palace was used primarily for ceremonial events and state functions. The coronation of Reza Shah in 1926 and the 1967 coronation of Mohammad Reza Shah and Empress Farah took place within its halls. While parts of the original citadel were demolished during modernization efforts in the mid-20th century, the palace remained a powerful symbol of Iran’s royal identity.

Architectural and Cultural Significance

Before the reported damage, Golestan Palace comprised 17 structures, including palaces, halls, museums, and archival spaces. Eight of its principal buildings functioned as museums housing manuscripts, photographs, royal artefacts, and official documents.

\n\n

Among its most celebrated spaces were:

The Marble Throne, constructed between 1747 and 1751

The Mirror Hall, renowned for intricate Persian mirror work (Ayeneh-kari)

The Brilliant Hall, built under Naser ed-Din Shah

The Diamond Hall, known for its reflective vaulted ceilings

The Salam Hall, once home to the Peacock Throne

The Windcatcher Mansion, designed as a summer residence

The Edifice of the Sun, a five-storey Qajar-era tower

The palace’s architectural design uniquely blended Persian craftsmanship with European influences introduced during the Qajar period, marking a pivotal moment in Iran’s artistic evolution.

\n\n

Golestan Palace’s cultural importance was internationally recognised in 2013 when it was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It even appeared on the reverse of a 5,000 Iranian rial banknote issued in 1974, a testament to its national significance.

UNESCO Raises Alarm

Following reports of damage, UNESCO issued a statement expressing concern. The organisation confirmed that the palace had been affected by debris and shockwaves from the nearby airstrike.

UNESCO stated that it is closely monitoring the situation and has communicated the geographic coordinates of World Heritage and nationally significant sites to all relevant parties to prevent further harm. The organisation reiterated that cultural heritage is protected under international law, including the 1954 Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict and the 1972 World Heritage Convention.

\n\n

A Symbol Caught in Conflict

Golestan Palace has long stood as a bridge between Iran’s Safavid, Qajar, and Pahlavi histories, a physical embodiment of the country’s artistic, political, and cultural evolution. The reported damage underscores a sobering reality of modern warfare: cultural heritage often becomes collateral damage.

Once a radiant gateway into Iran’s Persian legacy, the palace now reportedly faces restoration challenges amid escalating geopolitical tensions. Its fate will not only determine the preservation of an architectural masterpiece but also reflect the broader struggle to protect cultural identity during times of conflict.

\n","readDurationInMinutes":"7","author":{"name":"News18","logo":"https://glance-mob.glance-cdn.com/public/bubble/png/93a0a932-2fe3-40ed-bfdb-4582706f8183.jpeg"},"ism":false,"analyticsResponses":[],"tags":["GolestanPalace","TehranAirstrikes","USIsraelConflict","Iran","UNESCOWorldHeritage","CulturalHeritage","MiddleEastTensions","QajarDynasty","SafavidDynasty","PahlaviEra","WarfareDamage","InternationalLaw","HagueConvention","WorldHeritageConvention","PersianHistory"],"redirectionEnabled":false,"consent":true}

Tehran Airstrikes: UNESCO-Listed Golestan Palace Reportedly Damaged In US-Israel Attack On Iran

SUMMARY