UNESCO World Heritage site sustains structural damage as coalition airstrikes hit administrative buildings in central Tehran.

Intricate 18th-century ornaments and historic halls at Golestan Palace were ruined after US-Israeli strikes hit nearby buildings in Tehran.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 3, 2026, 10:54 AM EST

Source: The information in this article was sourced from TRT World

Impact on historic halls and interior artistry

Heavy damage has been reported within the Marble Throne Hall, which dates back to approximately 1750. According to observers on the ground, intricate ceiling ornaments and decorative arts from the mid-18th century have fallen due to the concussive force of the blasts. Furthermore, the Mirror Hall, a space celebrated for its elaborate craftsmanship designed by architect Abul Hasan Isfahani, suffered the total loss of its outward-facing windows. The destruction is particularly poignant for local conservators, as renovations on the Mirror Hall had been completed just one week prior to the attacks.

Proximity to military and administrative targets

The damage to the palace complex is attributed to the targeting of Iranian state infrastructure located in the immediate vicinity. Coalition strikes hit a building affiliated with the national judiciary and a municipal police station located adjacent to the palace walls. These strikes caused the collapse of sections of the palace’s outer walls and the destruction of the historic flooring. The director of the Golestan Palace, Afarin Emami, expressed profound distress over the ruin of unique architectural elements that had been preserved for over two centuries.

Urgent appeal for UNESCO intervention

In response to the site's degradation, Iran's Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance, Seyed Abbas Salehi, has formally requested that UNESCO dispatch an expert delegation to Tehran immediately. The goal of the mission would be to document the extent of the damage and assess the structural integrity of the remaining halls. As a World Heritage site, the palace is theoretically protected under international law, yet its central location near administrative hubs has placed it in the direct line of fire during the fourth day of the aerial campaign.