More than 200 international scholars and cultural heritage professionals have signed a joint statement condemning the United States and Israel for inflicting "irreversible damage" on Iran’s cultural heritage. The group, which includes academics from leading global institutions, alleges that recent military strikes have damaged over 130 UNESCO-registered monuments and museums, including the Senate Palace in Tehran and sites in Isfahan. They argue these actions violate the 1954 Hague Convention and criticize international bodies like UNESCO for failing to issue a sufficiently forceful response.
The situation highlights a growing rift between the academic community and international heritage organizations over the enforcement of international law during armed conflicts. By citing the "responsibility to protect" doctrine, the signatories are demanding that the global community hold powerful state actors accountable for the destruction of civilian and cultural objects. This movement reflects a broader trend of cultural professionals taking a political stand when they perceive institutional safeguards and diplomatic channels to be failing.