Rohman, M.A.
Director of Laboratorium Bantenologi
Universitas Islam Negeri Sultan Maulana Hasanuddin Banten
The recent reports concerning the extensive destruction of historical monuments and cultural heritage sites in Iran as a result of military attacks conducted by Israel and the United States demand serious global attention and condemnation. As the Director of the Laboratorium Bantenologi at Universitas Islam Negeri Sultan Maulana Hasanuddin Banten, I express deep concern and unequivocal condemnation of these acts that have caused severe damage to invaluable sites representing not only the cultural legacy of Iran but also the shared heritage of humanity.
According to the latest information, at least 56 historical monuments and cultural sites across Iran have suffered structural and significant damage during the current escalation of conflict. Among the affected areas, Tehran Province has recorded the highest number of damaged sites, with at least 19 monuments impacted, while 12 irreplaceable historical sites in Kurdistan Province have also reportedly sustained serious damage. These figures are alarming and illustrate the scale of the threat currently faced by cultural heritage in the region.
Among the monuments reportedly affected are some of the most iconic symbols of Iranian civilization. These include the historic Golestan Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site representing centuries of Persian artistic and architectural development. Similarly, the historic Grand Bazaar of Tehran, one of the oldest and most important commercial and cultural centers in the Middle East, has reportedly suffered damage.
Equally concerning are reports regarding the destruction affecting major architectural masterpieces in Isfahan, including the magnificent Shah Mosque (Imam Mosque), the historic Si-o-se-pol bridge, the elegant Chehel Sotoun Palace, and the monumental Ali Qapu Palace. These structures represent extraordinary achievements of Persian-Islamic architecture and have long served as symbols of Iran’s rich civilizational legacy. Additionally, the historically significant Falak-ol-Aflak Castle—a fortress that stands as testimony to the region’s long historical continuity—has also reportedly sustained serious damage.
The destruction of these monuments should not be understood merely as collateral damage within a military conflict. Cultural heritage sites embody collective memory, identity, and the accumulated intellectual achievements of civilizations across centuries. When such monuments are damaged or destroyed, humanity loses irreplaceable records of history, art, knowledge, and cultural dialogue.
International law has long recognized the need to protect cultural heritage during armed conflicts. The 1954 Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict explicitly obligates parties involved in armed conflicts to safeguard cultural property and refrain from acts of hostility directed against monuments, museums, and historic sites. These legal norms reflect a broader moral consensus that cultural heritage transcends national and political boundaries and belongs to humanity as a whole.
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Therefore, the reported attacks that have resulted in damage to dozens of historical sites in Iran constitute not only a regional tragedy but also a profound loss for global cultural heritage. Such actions risk setting a dangerous precedent whereby historical monuments become casualties of geopolitical rivalries. The international community must firmly reject any normalization of cultural destruction as a consequence of warfare.
In light of these developments, academic institutions, cultural organizations, and heritage preservation bodies must collectively raise their voices in defense of global heritage. Institutions such as UNESCO have a crucial responsibility to investigate these incidents, document the damage, and urge all parties involved in the conflict to respect international cultural protection norms.
Furthermore, Bantenologi of UIN Sultan Maulana Hasanuddin Banten demand all of international, national and local institutions around the world to join global calls urging UNESCO and other international bodies to condemn attacks against historical monuments and cultural sites. Such institutional solidarity is vital in reinforcing the principle that cultural heritage must remain protected regardless of political or military tensions.
From the perspective of Banten’s intellectual and cultural community, we understand the profound importance of historical heritage in shaping collective identity. Banten itself possesses numerous cultural sites that represent centuries of Islamic civilization, maritime trade, and intercultural dialogue. Consequently, we cannot remain silent when similar historical legacies elsewhere face destruction.
For these reasons, I call upon the international community, scholars, policymakers, and cultural institutions worldwide to strongly condemn the attacks that have damaged Iran’s historical monuments. Protecting cultural heritage is not merely an Iranian concern—it is a responsibility shared by all humanity.
The safeguarding of historical monuments during times of conflict is not simply a legal obligation; it is a moral imperative. The destruction of heritage diminishes our collective memory and weakens the cultural foundations upon which peaceful coexistence among civilizations must be built.
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