140 heritage sites in Iran damaged in US-Israeli attacks

About 140 historical sites across 20 provinces were damaged in US-Israeli attacks between Feb. 28 and April 7, with losses estimated at 7.5 trillion tomans (around $49 million), Iran’s state news agency IRNA reported.

Reza Salehi Amiri, Iran’s minister for cultural heritage, tourism and handicrafts, said the figures are based on preliminary assessments and may be revised as further evaluations continue.

He said Tehran recorded the highest number of affected sites with 63, followed by Isfahan with 23 and Golestan with 12.

The minister added that the attacks caused widespread damage to cultural assets across multiple regions during the reporting period.

The US and Israel launched a joint offensive on Iran on Feb. 28. Tehran retaliated with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel as well as Jordan, Iraq and Gulf countries hosting US military assets. Iran also restricted the movement of ships through the Strait of Hormuz.

The US and Iran announced a two-week ceasefire on Tuesday, brokered by Pakistan, as a step toward a possible broader agreement to halt the conflict that has left thousands dead and wounded.