Iran says 149 historical sites damaged in recent war, estimates $500 million loss

TEHRAN, Iran — Iran's Minister of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts, Seyed Reza Salehi Amiri, said 149 historical sites in the country were damaged during the recent war, including five structures on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Speaking on the sidelines of the BRICS tourism ministers' meeting in India, Salehi Amiri said the damage rate at the affected sites ranged between 10% and 90%, with economic losses estimated at around $500 million. He did not specify which heritage sites were affected. The minister said Tehran had filed complaints with UNESCO and other international organizations over what he described as the targeting of historical areas. He added that restoration work would begin after the war ends. No further details on the timeline or scope of the planned restoration were immediately available.