War in the Middle East: Classified heritage destroyed by bombs

In Iran and Lebanon, the war in the Middle East threatens centuries of history. Israeli-American strikes have devastated historical sites. UNESCO calls on the warring parties to preserve the exceptional heritage of the region.

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It is a jewel of Iranian heritage, the Golestan Palace, one of the oldest in Tehran. Its ceilings used to be adorned with mosaics and mirrors. After an American or Israeli strike nearby, the blast of the explosion shattered the windows and partially destroyed these famous ceilings, the debris of which now litter the ground. The site is classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and it is not the only one.

Other palaces have been damaged. In total, 132 sites, according to Iranian authorities. Like a cultural institute or the Green Palace: “You see this? It fell from above,” explains a man filming and observing the damage in the Chehel Sotoun Palace, one of the most beautiful in Isfahan, on social media.

Heritage is also at risk in Lebanon. The city of Tyre in the south is a treasure trove. It has been bombed again in recent days. Tyre houses Roman ruins of inestimable value. An ancient hippodrome among the oldest in the Middle East. And for the archaeological site guide, concern resurfaces with each new strike. In March, two bombings fell just next to it. The enclosing wall was damaged by the blast. The windows of the museum under construction were shattered.

A piece of the building was projected to the archaeological site. “This piece of concrete reached here, from the impact to a distance of 200 meters from here. Luckily, the relics were not touched. We consider these ruins as the history of Tyre and our ancestors. Of course, we are afraid for them,” he continues.

Blue shields signs have been installed to indicate that the heritage is being safeguarded. A meager protection in the midst of war.