Tehran: A senior Iranian official has reported significant damage to 149 historical sites across 18 provinces during the US-Israeli military actions against Iran, with estimated losses exceeding 75 trillion rials.

According to Islamic Republic News Agency, Ali Darabi, the deputy cultural heritage minister, detailed the extent of the destruction at a press conference held ahead of International Museum Day and Cultural Heritage Week. The damage includes 54 museums, seven historical areas, and five nationally registered heritage sites. Tehran alone saw damage to 70 sites, while other affected provinces include Kordestan, Kermanshah, Lorestan, Qom, and Bushehr.

Darabi highlighted the financial impact, stating that the damage, quantified as more than 7.5 hemats, surpasses the budget of the Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts. He noted that some historical artifacts are housed in military museums, yet restrictions have hindered assessments of potential damage in those locations.

The Iranian government has reached out to international organizations, sending over 17 letters to bodies such as UNESCO and ICESCO, to raise awareness about the destruction. UNESCO has expressed its intention to send a representative to Iran to evaluate the damage once travel restrictions are lifted.

Darabi assured that no historical objects were harmed, as they had been relocated to secure storage facilities prior to the conflict. The unprovoked military operations commenced on February 28, targeting key Iranian figures and various infrastructures, including cultural and historical sites. In retaliation, the Iranian Armed Forces conducted 100 successful strikes against American and Israeli targets in the region.