US and Israel strikes on 12 March 2026 damage UNESCO World Heritage sites in Iran

Key facts

• The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) verified damage to at least four cultural and historical sites in Iran following strikes by the United States (US) and Israel.
• The affected landmarks include the Qajar-era Golestan Palace in Tehran, the 17th-century Chehel Sotoun Palace in Isfahan, and the Masjed-e Jame, which is the oldest Friday mosque in Iran.
• Damage was reported near the Khorramabad Valley, a site containing five prehistoric caves and a rock shelter with evidence of human occupation dating back to 63,000 B.C.
• Iran and Lebanon have submitted a formal request to UNESCO to include additional locations on the agency’s enhanced protection list.
• UNESCO confirmed that heritage sites in other regions have also been impacted by the conflict, including Tyre in Lebanon and the White City in Israel.
• The US government announced its intention to withdraw from UNESCO by December, following a previous announcement made in July.