By The South Asia Times

TEHRAN - Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has issued a searing indictment of US-Israeli military operations, revealing that multiple UNESCO World Heritage Sites dating back centuries have been damaged or destroyed in ongoing strikes -- while the international organization tasked with protecting such treasures remains silent.

"Israel is bombing Iranian historical monuments dating as far back as the 14th century. Multiple UNESCO World Heritage Sites have been struck," Araghchi posted on X. "It's natural that a regime that won't last a century hates nations with ancient pasts. But where's UNESCO? Its silence is unacceptable."

According to a comprehensive investigation by Sin Chew Daily, the damage to Iran's cultural patrimony is extensive and mounting.

In Isfahan, the magnificent Ali Qapu Palace and Chehel Sotoun Palace -- both constructed during the 17th-century Safavid dynasty and among Iran's most cherished cultural symbols -- suffered severe damage in the March 9 strikes.

Official footage released by Iranian media shows painted murals fallen from walls, floral tiles shattered into fragments, and intricately carved wooden panels blasted from ceilings.

The Jameh Mosque of Isfahan, renowned for its turquoise tiles and considered a masterpiece of Persian-Islamic architecture, had its characteristic blue-green ceramics shaken loose by the explosion. Government footage captured thick smoke rising behind the mosque.

In Tehran, the Golestan Palace -- dating to the 14th century and later serving as the Qajar dynasty's seat of power -- sustained damage when a nearby police station was struck. Anadolu Agency reporters who documented the destruction on site observed that ceiling ornaments from approximately 1750 had fallen in the Marble Throne Hall, windows facing both interior and exterior were shattered, and flooring was heavily damaged.

The famous Mirror Hall, designed by architect Abul Hasan Isfahani, lost all outward-facing windows and sustained significant damage to its ceiling decoration.

In Lorestan province, two ancient castles -- Shapur Khast Castle and Falak ol-Aflak Castle, dating from the Sassanian era (220-650 CE) -- were severely damaged in March 8 strikes.

According to the Iranian Red Crescent Society, since the conflict began on February 28, nearly 10,000 civilian buildings have been destroyed or damaged, including 7,493 residences, 1,617 commercial buildings, 32 medical facilities, 65 schools, and at least six cultural heritage sites.

- UNESCO's tepid response

UNESCO spokesperson Monia Adjiwanou confirmed that multiple Iranian World Heritage sites have been damaged, stating the organization is "deeply concerned about reports of destruction of cultural heritage sites in the Middle East," particularly in Iran and neighboring countries.

UNESCO has revealed that four of Iran's 29 World Heritage sites have been damaged since the conflict began. The organization noted it had provided geographical coordinates of all listed sites to relevant parties and emphasized that "cultural property is protected under international law," particularly the 1954 Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict and the 1972 World Heritage Convention.

Iranian officials report that all cultural heritage sites were marked with blue flags -- the international symbol for protected cultural property in wartime -- yet strikes continued.

Isfahan Governor Mehdi Jamalinejad condemned the attacks as barbaric: "They are attacking the symbols of the world's oldest civilization with the most advanced weapons".

Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Araghchi also highlighted another devastating strike: a branch of Iran's oldest bank was bombed while filled with employees.

"This time, a branch of my country's oldest bank was bombed while full of employees," he wrote. "They were laboring to ensure Iranians have food on the table ahead of our New Year."

Iran's military command, Khatam al-Anbiya, subsequently warned civilians to stay at least one kilometer away from banks, as economic and banking targets belonging to the US and Israel in the region are now legitimate targets in response. A staff member at the Tehran bank was killed in the strike.

"Our Powerful Armed Forces will exact retribution for this crime," Araghchi warned. "Netanyahu doesn't want you to see how Iran's Powerful Armed Forces are punishing Israel for its aggression."

He described reports from Iranian forces on the ground as indicating "utter destruction caused by our missiles, panicked leaders, and air defenses in disarray."

"And we're just getting started," he added.

- International law and double standards

The targeting of cultural property during armed conflict is considered a war crime under international law. The 1954 Hague Convention, to which both the US and Israel are signatories, requires parties to "refrain from any act of hostility directed against" cultural property.

Isfahan Governor Jamalinejad's words capture the outrage reverberating across Iran: "They are attacking the symbols of the world's oldest civilization with the most advanced weapons".

As Araghchi's question echoes unanswered -- "Where is UNESCO?" -- Iran's ancient heritage lies in ruins, collateral damage in a conflict that shows no signs of ending