Golestan Palace (UNESCO World Heritage Site) damaged in Tehran strikes — first confirmed heritage site damage of conflict

Tehran’s Golestan Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site dating to the Qajar era, sustained major damage from shockwaves after airstrike on adjacent Arag Square (within the site’s buffer zone). Damage includes orsi-style windows, wooden doors, and mirror-work sections. UNESCO confirmed the report. Iran’s Cultural Heritage Minister called it ‘an attack on Iran’s cultural and national identity’. Mirror Throne room artifacts had been pre-moved to secure vaults during January protests. Potential war crimes dimension under 1954 Hague Convention for Protection of Cultural Property. Sources: Al Jazeera, CNN, UNESCO, Arkeonews.