National taskforce formed to address subsidence threat to Isfahan monuments

TEHRAN – Iran’s government cabinet has approved the formation of a National Taskforce to Combat Subsidence, which will operate under the supervision of the First Vice President, to safeguard Isfahan’s historical monuments and world heritage sites, Amir Karamzadeh, head of the Isfahan Cultural Heritage Department, said.

Iran-Saudi Arabia ties serve interests of both countries, Salehi-Amiri says

TEHRAN – Iran’s Minister of Cultural Heritage, Seyyed Reza Salehi-Amiri, said strengthening relations with Saudi Arabia is in the interests of both nations, speaking at a ceremony marking Saudi National Day at the Espinas Palace Hotel in Tehran on Tuesday.

Archaeologists uncover early Elamite burial near Persepolis in southern Iran

TEHRAN - Archaeologists have discovered evidence of an early Elamite jar burial and traces of kiln waste at Tol-e Roubahi Kenareh, less than two km south of the UNESCO World Heritage site of Persepolis in southern Iran.

Salehi-Amiri: Students are main guardians of Iranian culture

TEHRAN—Iranian culture is like a bubbling spring that has been the lifeblood of this land for centuries, and it is a trust in the hands of the younger generation today, said Cultural Heritage Minister Seyyed Reza Saheli-Amiri.

Iran orders reopening of all museums and heritage sites after wartime closure

TEHRAN – Iran’s Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts Ministry has ordered the reopening of all museums, historical palaces, and archaeological sites across the country, following months of closure after the 12-day war with Israel.

Iran FM urges return of looted cultural heritage at New York forum

TEHRAN – Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Monday called for the return of cultural artifacts taken during colonialism, war and illegal excavations, urging stronger international cooperation to protect ancient heritage.

400 events planned for Iran’s Tourism Week

TEHRAN – Concurrent with the start of Tourism Week, 400 festivals and special events focusing on tourism and sustainable development will be held across Iran from September 27 to October 3, Mostafa Fatemi, director-general of the Domestic Tourism Development Office, said.

Iran seeks to make China top partner in tourism, minister says

TEHRAN – Iran aims to make China its leading partner in the tourism sector, building on existing trade relations between the two countries, the minister of cultural heritage, tourism and handicrafts said on Sunday.

Iran approves museum dedicated to 12-day war with Israel

TEHRAN – Iran has approved the establishment of a museum dedicated to the 12-day war with the Zionist regime of Israel, Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts Minister Seyyed Reza Salehi-Amiri said on Monday.

Met Museum’s tiny clay figurine reveals ancient origins of the mighty Hyrcanian tiger

TEHRAN - A seemingly unremarkable clay fragment, housed for decades in the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s collections, has been identified as a landmark archaeological discovery. New research confirms the artifact is one of the oldest known depictions of a tiger, reshaping the history of the animal’s role in Iranian art and culture.

UNESCO-listed Golestan Palace to reopen museums in phases from Sept. 23

TEHRAN – Golestan Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage site in central Tehran, will begin reopening its museums and historic buildings in stages starting Sept. 23, the site’s director said on Sunday.

By Katayoon Dashti

World’s largest hand-made cave, an unknown heritage in Fars province

Sang Shekanan (stonemasons) cave in the south of Jahrom, Fars province, has been dubbed the largest hand-made cave in the world, but many people in Iran and even Fars have not yet heard of it, and it has few visitors.

Tehran Day designated to highlight capital’s historical, cultural and tourism assets

TEHRAN – Tehran’s provincial Cultural Council has designated Mehr 14 (Oct. 6) as “Tehran Day” to commemorate the city’s historic role in the establishment of Iran’s constitutional system and its designation as the national capital.

Israeli airstrikes damage Yemen’s National Museum, Houthi authorities say

TEHRAN – Israeli airstrikes have damaged Yemen’s National Museum in the capital Sanaa, shattering windows and doors and raising concerns over the safety of its collection, Houthi officials and local archaeologists said.

Nearly 60,000 Chinese tourists visit Iran annually, ambassador says

TEHRAN - About 60,000 Chinese tourists travel to Iran each year, China’s ambassador to Tehran said on Tuesday, highlighting efforts to expand cultural and scientific exchanges between the two countries.

Isfahan launches first film tourism map to highlight city’s movie locations

ISFAHAN – Isfahan unveiled its first tourism map of film shooting locations on Wednesday, offering visitors an interactive way to explore the city’s cultural and cinematic heritage.

By Afshin Majlesi 

‘Face of Iran’ unveiled at Iranology Foundation

TEHRAN – A new geotourism documentary series named “Face of Iran” was unveiled on Tuesday at the Iranology Foundation in Tehran, with the aim of promoting the country’s cultural and natural heritage as a tourism and economic asset.

Yazd historic mansion under restoration to house new heritage museum

TEHRAN – Work has begun on the construction of the Grand Museum of Yazd, a cultural project planned inside a historic mansion in the UNESCO-listed city of Yazd, officials said on Sunday.

Khuzestan province to host multimedia festival of cultural heritage

TEHRAN – Iran will hold the fourth International Multimedia Festival of Cultural Heritage in Khuzestan province in January 2026, the Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts said on Monday.

Iran heritage official responds to concerns over orchestra concert at Persepolis

TEHRAN – An Iranian heritage official said on Monday that a permanent, safe venue will be designated for cultural events at Persepolis after a concert by the Armenian National Philharmonic Orchestra at the ancient site sparked concern among cultural heritage advocates and archaeologists.

Archaeologists evacuate Gaza artefacts from storehouse threatened by Israeli strike

TEHRAN – Archaeologists evacuated nearly three decades of finds from a Gaza City building on Wednesday after Israeli authorities warned it would be targeted in an air strike, officials said.

Iranian scholars link Bishapur palace motif to global symbols

TEHRAN – Archaeologists in Iran say a decorative motif known as Gardoun-e Mehr (literary “Mithra Wheel”) or cross-like pattern, carved in plasterwork at an ancient royal palace of Bishapur in Fars province, influenced artistic and architectural designs across the world.

Rural literary tourism route launched in Kandelous, northern Iran

TEHRAN – Iran has inaugurated a rural literary tourism route in the village of Kandelous in northern Mazandaran province, linking local folklore with cultural and ecological tourism, officials said.

Iran pavilion named best booth at China’s Guangzhou tourism fair

TEHRAN – Iran’s pavilion was awarded the title of best booth at the Guangzhou International Travel Fair (CITIE 2025) on Saturday, its first participation in the event, organizers said.

Iran, Tunisia to revive tourism cooperation

TEHRAN – Iran and Tunisia have agreed to revive economic and tourism cooperation and are preparing to reconvene a joint economic commission after years of suspension, sources reported following a visit by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi to Tunis.

Archaeological work begins at Persepolis

TEHRAN – A new phase of archaeological excavations has begun in the core protected zone of Persepolis in southern Iran to determine the exact boundaries of historic remains, the site director said on Saturday.

Iran considers importing tourism vehicles from China

TEHRAN – Iran considers importing tourism vehicles from China and drafting a joint roadmap to strengthen transport infrastructure for the sector, the head of Iran’s Touring and Automobile Club said on Thursday.