Historic Chehel Sotoun palace in Isfahan reported damaged in strikes

Another UNESCO World Heritage Site, the historic Chehel Sotoun Palace in the central Iranian city of Isfahan, was damaged during recent military strikes, according to Iranian state media.

The reported damage is the latest development since the strikes began on February 28, when the United States and Israel launched military attacks on Iran. Authorities in Isfahan Province said on March 7 that 63 people have been killed in the province since then, including women and children. On the same day, the Israel Defense Forces announced a new round of attacks targeting sites in Tehran and Isfahan.

Iranian officials later confirmed the damage. On March 10, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said the palace had been affected in the attacks. The statement came days after reports that the historic Golestan Palace was also damaged.

Baghaei warned that strikes on Isfahan's historic heart are putting priceless cultural sites at risk, adding that "the world cannot remain silent while the aggressors' brutal crimes threaten the shared heritage of humankind."

Chehel Sotoun, one of Isfahan's most famous historic landmarks, has long been recognized for its cultural and architectural value and forms part of the Persian Garden, which was inscribed on the World Heritage List by UNESCO in 2011.

The palace sits within a 67,000-square-meter garden first laid out under Abbas I, while the pavilion itself was completed in 1647 under Abbas II. Originally built for royal receptions and diplomatic ceremonies, the front hall is supported by twenty tall wooden columns, whose reflection in the long pool before the palace creates the visual impression of forty columns – hence the name Chehel Sotoun.

Inside, the halls are adorned with mirrors, colored glass and large murals depicting royal audiences, historical battles, and scenes of court life during the Safavid era. During the 16th and 17th centuries, when Isfahan served as Persia's capital, the city flourished as a cultural hub, and many of its historic monuments, including the Chehel Sotoun, still stand today.

UNESCO has expressed deep concern over the safety of cultural heritage amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, reiterating that cultural property is protected under international law and urging all parties to avoid further damage to historic sites. Anti-war demonstrations have also been reported in several countries, calling for an end to military strikes in Iran and highlighting the importance of safeguarding peace and cultural heritage.