The Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts announced that the Islamic Republic of Iran, through an official letter addressed to Ms. Audrey Azoulay, Director-General of UNESCO, has urged the organization to act urgently to safeguard Iran’s historical and natural sites in the face of ongoing wars and recent acts of military aggression. The request, signed by Reza Salehi Amiri, Minister of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts, invokes international conventions, including the 1954 Hague Convention and the 1972 Convention concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage.
In the letter, Iran refers to its more than 40,000 nationally registered heritage properties and 28 entries on the World Heritage List, calling on UNESCO to protect this invaluable cultural legacy. These sites include Iran’s historical caravanserais, the Trans-Iranian Railway, the Hyrcanian Forests, and Persian Gardens. Additionally, over 50 other properties are currently on UNESCO’s Tentative List for potential inscription.
Iran’s request stresses the importance of safeguarding these properties as part of the shared heritage of humanity, warning that any harm to them would not only damage Iran’s historical memory but also threaten the cultural identity of the world.
Accordingly, Iran has asked UNESCO to implement the following actions to demonstrate its tangible support for global heritage:
Issue an official statement emphasizing the need to protect Iran’s cultural and natural heritage.
Formally warn the Israeli regime—within the framework of Article 4 of the 1954 Hague Convention—to respect cultural property.
Take practical measures to protect cultural heritage in conflict zones in line with UN Security Council Resolution 2347 (2017).
Establish an emergency intergovernmental committee to assess the state of Iran’s cultural heritage.
Raise international awareness about any hostile acts targeting this heritage.
Finally, Iran warned that any delay in UNESCO’s response could result in irreversible consequences for the world’s cultural heritage. As the body responsible for protecting global cultural and natural heritage, UNESCO is expected to take a firm and immediate stance on this matter.