Famous Golestan Palace in Tehran damaged

(Patria) - Parts of the Golestan Palace, the only UNESCO World Heritage site in the capital of Iran, were damaged in an airstrike carried out by the United States and Israel on Monday night, the Iranian government announced.

Parts of the palace were damaged, including wooden doors, traditional Persian windows known as orsi, and sections with decorative mirrors. The damage was also confirmed by the Minister of Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts, Seyed Reza Salehi Amiri, during his visit on Monday, March 2, 2026.

He announced that a report on the incident would be compiled and submitted to UNESCO, emphasizing that the attack constitutes a violation of international law.

Museum artifacts from the Golestan Palace were not damaged as they were previously moved to a safe location. The relocation occurred after a twelve-day war.

Golestan Palace is a historical complex of buildings and gardens whose construction dates back to the reign of Shah Tahmasp I of the Safavid dynasty. During the Zand period, the palace briefly served as the residence of Karim Khan, and during the Qajar dynasty, it was significantly expanded to become the home of the royal family in the new capital.

During the Pahlavi era, it was used for official ceremonies and receiving presidents and distinguished foreign guests. It was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in July 2013.