نامۀ ایکوموس ایران به ایکوموس جهانی دربارۀ حمله‌های اخیر به کشور و نگرانی از مخاطرات معطوف به میراث فرهنگی

Dear Ms. Teresa Patrício,

President of ICOMOS International,

 In light of the recent escalation of hostilities in the region—initiated by Israel and now compounded by the involvement of the United States in actions that contravenes international law—we write to express our grave concern regarding the safety and preservation of the invaluable cultural heritage of Iran and the broader region.

 We wish to bring to your attention a recent incident in which an Israeli strike targeted an area in close proximity to the Taq-e Bostan World Heritage Site. Fortunately, based on information currently available, the site did not suffer direct physical damage. Nonetheless, the proximity of the strike has raised significant alarm, particularly given the potential for such attacks to recur or intensify.

 You may recall that during his presidency, Mr. Donald Trump publicly threatened to target cultural and historical sites in Iran. At that time, ICOMOS and numerous cultural and legal entities responded appropriately, voicing firm opposition to such actions. Although those threats were not ultimately executed, no retraction or formal acknowledgment of wrongdoing was ever issued.

 In this context, we respectfully urge ICOMOS to take a firm and principled stance in condemning the parties responsible for initiating and escalating the current crisis. We also call on your esteemed organization to consider proactive and preventive measures aimed at safeguarding the cultural heritage of the region—heritage that is not only of national significance but also part of the collective legacy of humankind.

 Yours sincerely,

Dr. Mahdi Hodjat

President, ICOMOS Iran