The 400-year-old Golestan Palace reportedly sustained damage from a nearby missile blast in March
More than 200 cultural figures sign statement criticising international response to destruction of Iran’s heritage
A joint letter, published by the Society for Iranian Archaeology, condemns the “irreversible damage” to cultural sites caused by US-Israeli missile strikes
By Sarvy Geranpayeh
April 15, 2026
More than 200 scholars and cultural professionals from across the world have condemned what they describe as “irreversible damage” to Iran’s heritage by the United States and Israel, warning that it could constitute violations of international law.
Signatories of a joint statement provided to the Society for Iranian Archaeology for publication—who span leading academics, researchers and cultural heritage professionals at universities and institutions across the US, Europe and beyond—also criticise states and international institutions for what they call an inadequate response.
“We, the undersigned, warn that the conduct of the United States and Israel has inflicted irreversible damage on humanity’s cultural heritage and, in light of the 1954 Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict, may give rise to violations of international law,” the statement says. It later continues: “The responsibility does not lie only with the state that violates the law. Under the responsibility to protect doctrine, this responsibility also lies with those states that fail to condemn, restrain, and hold that violator accountable.”
The statement builds on a separate legal letter signed by more than 100 US-based international law experts, which argued that the attacks on Iran violated the United Nations Charter and warned that the war and statements by US officials raise „serious concerns about violations of international humanitarian law, including potential war crimes”. The letter, which focuses on the actions of the US but also expresses concerns about the Iranian government’s treatment of its own citizens and neighbouring countries, later states: “The laws of armed conflict constrain the conduct of hostilities of all parties to the ongoing conflict. We are concerned that these fundamental rules may have been violated, including in the context of reported strikes on civilians and civilian objects.”
Since the start of the US-Israeli strikes on 28 February—currently halted as part of a ceasefire—more than 3,000 people were killed in Iran, according to the country’s forensic chief.
Meanwhile, according to today’s statement from scholars, more than 130 registered Unesco and national monuments and museums have been damaged in this time, with further destruction across historic urban areas and archaeological sites. Citing the 1954 Hague Convention, the authors argue that “the Convention rests on two basic duties of states: respect and safeguarding. The United States and Israel have failed on both counts”. The statement points to both direct strikes—including on Tehran’s Senate Palace—and the damage caused to heritage sites by bombardment in historic areas.
Read more:
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See also:
Statement Against Damage to Iran’s Cultural Heritage
Full statement & signatories
https://iranianarchaeology.org/post/6142
Persian version of the statement
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Letter of over 100 international law experts on Iran war
The United States and Israel initiated strikes on Iran over one month ago, on February 28, 2026. The attack was a clear violation of the United Nations Charter. The conduct of the war, and statements of U.S. officials, also raise serious concerns about violations of international humanitarian law, including potential war crimes. We have written the below statement together with over 100 U.S.-based international law experts, to detail our profound concerns about the war. The letter is signed by international law experts across the United States, including senior professors; leaders of prominent international law associations, non-governmental organizations, and legal clinics; former government legal advisors; and military law experts and former Judge Advocates General (JAGs).
April 13, 2026
https://www.justsecurity.org/135423/professors-letter-international-law-iran-war/
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Open Letter: Protect Scientific Institutions in Iran and Ensure Accountability for Aggressors
To the United Nations Secretary-General, the Director-General of UNESCO, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, and the governments of all parties to the conflict
April 2026
https://afsaneyebahar.com/2026/04/10/20706756/
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Six Non-Negotiable Terms From International Scholars and Former Officials From 30 Countries to End the U.S. War on Iran Amid Trump’s Threat of War Crimes
April 10, 2026
https://afsaneyebahar.com/2026/04/11/20706772/
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Amir Mortasawi (alias Afsane Bahar) (امیر مرتضوی (افسانه بهار 