The Golestan Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in central Tehran, was reportedly damaged in U.S. and Israeli airstrikes as the military campaign against Iran spiraled into a wider regional conflict.
Reza Salehi-Amiri, Iran’s cultural heritage minister, said debris and blast waves from an attack near Aragh Square in southern Tehran damaged doors, windows and mirrors at the Qajar-era complex. Salehi-Amiri called the incident an attack on “Iranian culture and national identity” and said a formal report would be submitted to UNESCO.
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The 16th-century Golestan Palace, also known as the Rose Palace, was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2013. Originally built within the historic walls of Tehran during the Safavid period, it became the seat of government for the Qajar rulers after a series of additions and additions during the 19th century. Today, the complex is renowned for its seamless blend of traditional Persian craftsmanship and architecture with Western aesthetic influences, from intricate tiles and mirrored mosaics to its centerpiece: a formal garden accented by a sunken pool.
The palace is classified as a national monument under Iran’s 1930 National Heritage Protection Law, which, along with the UNESCO designation, was intended to provide it with special protection during times of war.
On February 28, a joint U.S.-Israeli attack killed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and several senior officials, causing tensions in Southwest Asia and the Persian Gulf to escalate sharply. Iran has retaliated with airstrikes against U.S. and Israeli assets and military bases in the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Qatar and Saudi Arabia, disrupting a long-held regional order among oil-rich countries that have earned a reputation as a stable haven in a historically volatile region.
Debris from the explosion fell on Abu Dhabi’s Saadiyat Island, the emirate’s flagship cultural district and home to the Louvre Abu Dhabi and the upcoming Guggenheim Abu Dhabi museum. according to art dailyWhile the Louvre Abu Dhabi has a fire-proof gallery that could serve as a shelter during an attack, the Jean Nouvel-designed building lacks underground protection.
The United Arab Emirates has a thriving ecosystem of galleries, museums and art fairs that regularly attracts international visitors. However, earlier this week, Alserkal Avenue, Dubai’s main gallery district, was temporarily closed, with spaces such as Perrotin Dubai, Lawrie Shabibi, The Third Line, Carbon 12 and Green Art Gallery announcing on social media that they would be closing indefinitely.
Meanwhile, museums in Qatar – including the Museum of Islamic Art and the National Museum of Qatar – have also been closed, with no indication of when they will reopen. Doha’s Mataf: Arab Museum of Modern Art wrote on Instagram that “the safety and well-being of our visitors and staff remains our top priority.”
tryer art news The gallery in Tehran could not be reached for comment.
Earlier this week, Iran’s ally Hezbollah launched a rocket and drone attack on an Israeli military base near Haifa, leading to retaliatory attacks on Beirut’s southern suburbs and the conflict spreading into Lebanon. Local reports stated that Israeli attacks had killed at least 30 people and injured 150 others. In response, Beirut’s Sursock Museum announced it would close indefinitely. The museum is a contemporary art institution housed in a historic building and houses major works by Etel Adnan, Saloua Raouda Choucair and others.
In a statement posted on social media, UNESCO joined UN agencies and senior officials, including Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, in condemning the US and Israeli attacks and Iranian retaliation.
This article will be updated as more information becomes available.
