Airstrikes carried out by the United States and Israel have caused damage to multiple historic sites across Iran, according to reports compiled by on-the-ground journalists and verified through satellite imagery by the United Nations cultural agency Unesco.

Journalists based in Iran documented damage to 11 historic buildings, while Unesco confirmed harm to seven heritage sites, including several religious landmarks and two locations listed on its World Heritage Register. Notably affected are prominent cultural treasures in the city of Isfahan, including Naqsh-e Jahan Square, Chehel Sotoun Palace, and the Jameh Mosque. A station along the Trans-Iranian railway in the area has also reportedly sustained damage.

In the capital Tehran, the Golestan Palace and portions of the city’s historic bazaar were among the sites impacted by recent strikes. Farther west in Khorramabad valley, significant damage was confirmed at Falak-ol-Aflak, an ancient fortress dating back approximately 1,800 years. The region holds a rich archaeological legacy, with evidence of human habitation in surrounding caves stretching back some 63,000 years.

The pattern of destruction marks a departure from previous U.S. military campaigns, in which cultural heritage sites were generally spared. Unesco noted that no World Heritage locations were damaged during U.S. military operations in Iraq, Afghanistan, or Libya. Iranian officials have reported that more than 134 cultural heritage sites across the country have suffered damage as a result of these recent attacks.

While the exact rationale behind the strikes has not been officially detailed, the reported damage has raised concerns about the protection of cultural landmarks amid ongoing regional conflict. Both the United States and Israel have not publicly confirmed responsibility for damage to the historic sites. The incident highlights the vulnerability of cultural assets in conflict zones and has prompted calls for increased international efforts to safeguard such heritage.