Iran Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has alleged that Israel was targeting Unesco World Heritage sites in Iran, including some dating back to the 14th century, as airstrikes continue in the region.
Araghchi took to the social media platform X and urged Unesco to speak against the attacks on Iran's heritage. "Multiple UNESCO World Heritage sites have been stuck," he said, adding that, "It's natural that a regime that won't last a century hates nations with ancient pasts."
He added that Unesco's silence on the matter was "unacceptable". "But where is UNESCO? Its silence is unacceptable," he wrote. Araghchi also attached a couple of pictures of heritage sites, with clear damage, on his X post.
Israel is bombing Iranian historical monuments dating as far back as the 14th century. Multiple UNESCO World Heritage Sites have been struck.
— Seyed Abbas Araghchi (@araghchi) March 12, 2026
It's natural that a regime that won't last a century hates nations with ancient pasts. But where's UNESCO? Its silence is unacceptable. pic.twitter.com/7eu09Cjiyf
The United States and Israel have gone to war with Iran, beginning February 28, the day they assassinated Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Since then, the two sides have continued trading airstrikes, even as Iran has targeted Gulf countries in its neighborhood inflicting considerable damage.
Iran has elected Mojtaba Khamenei, son of the slain supreme leader, as the new head of the country. In his first address to the nation on Thursday, Mojtaba reiterated that his country would not budge to any pressure. He has asserted that the Strait of Hormuz will continue to remain closed, a closure which has pushed the world into an oil crisis with crude oil hitting even $120 a barrel over the past week.
He has also thanked the country's military, who he said had stopped Iran from being dominated or divided as it came under attack. "I would like to thank the brave fighters who are doing a great job at a time when our country is under pressure and under attack," he said, and pledged that Iran would continue fighting.
Mojtaba's statement was read by the state television, wherein he warned that all US bases should be immediately closed in the region or they will be attacked. "While Iran believes in friendship with the neighbours, attacks on the US bases in the region will continue," the statement read.
ALSO READ: US-Iran War News Live Updates: Flight Operations Resume Between Riyadh And India
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