US and Iran must protect cultural sites, says UNESCO

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has said that both the United States and Iran must observe conventions obliging states to protect cultural sites after US President Donald Trump threatened to target Iran's cultural heritage.

At a meeting with the Iranian ambassador to the Paris-based organisation on Monday, Director-General Audrey Azoulay said provisions of the 1954 and 1972 conventions, ratified by both the US and Iran, should be observed.

The conventions ask the signatory states to not undertake any deliberate measures that might damage cultural and natural heritage on the territory of other states party to the conventions.

Iran boasts 22 cultural sites and two natural sites on UNESCO's World Heritage list. Perhaps the most spectacular cultural site is the ancient Achaemenid capital of Persepolis in southwest Iran. Founded by Darius I in 518 BC, it is a major attraction for foreign tourists.

The Trump administration withdrew from UNESCO in 2019 ...

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/01/iran-protect-cultural-sites-unesco-200106183016546.html