Iran evacuates heritage amid Israeli air assault

TEHRAN - Facing an ongoing Israeli air campaign, Iran has undertaken an unprecedented emergency operation to safeguard its most valuable cultural treasures.

By Afshin Majlesi

Shams Tabrizi mausoleum gets major boost with new funding

KHOY, West Azarbaijan province – The Iranian government has allocated 30 trillion rials (approximately $375,000) to advance the long-delayed construction of the mausoleum of Shams Tabrizi, the famed Sufi mystic and spiritual mentor of the celebrated Persian poet Rumi.

Sang-e Chakhmaq's 8,000-year-old flute featured in museum's new video project

TEHRAN - The National Museum of Iran, in collaboration with the Public Relations Department of the Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts, has begun producing a series of short videos to introduce its artifacts to the public.

ECO approves Iran’s proposal to implement Carnet de Passages system

TEHRAN - The Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) has officially approved Iran’s proposal for the implementation of the international Carnet de Passages en Douane (CPD) system among its member states.

Where history meets healing: Hamedan welcomes ECO member states for major health tourism event

TEHRAN - Hamedan is fully prepared to host the 3rd ECO Confobition on Health Tourism, according to the province’s Governor-General Hamid Molanouri-Shamsi.

Ancient clay jars unearthed following road erosion in western Iran

TEHRAN - Two large clay jars, possibly dating back to prehistoric times, have been discovered in Dehloran county of Ilam province, western Iran.

4,000 historical sites, structures at risk from land subsidence, Iranian tourism minister warns

Tehran - Iran’s Minister of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts, Seyyed Reza Salehi-Amiri, announced during Sunday’s cabinet meeting that approximately 4,000 historical sites and buildings across the country are under threat due to land subsidence.

Rare Sassanid-era inscription condemning break of promise discovered in Marvdasht, southern Iran

TEHRAN - A rare Sassanid-era inscription believed to condemn the act of betrayal and uphold the sanctity of loyalty and oaths has been discovered in the mountainous region of Marvdasht, Fars province, according to historian Dr. Abolhassan Atabaki.

Over 52,000 travels to Mashhad, Najaf registered in one week

TEHRAN—Over 52,000 pilgrimage trips have been registered for Mashhad in Iran’s Khorasan Razavi province and Najaf in Iraq during the last week, based on data obtained from an online ticket sales and distribution platform.

Iran sets target to attract two million medical tourists over five years

TEHRAN – The Iranian tourism minister has announced plans to significantly boost the country’s medical tourism sector, setting a target of attracting two million medical tourists annually within the next five years.

Human remains and pottery fragments unearthed in Isfahan’s utility excavation

TEHRAN - A routine utility excavation in the historical city of Isfahan has led to the unexpected discovery of human skeletal remains and fragments of pottery, prompting an immediate halt to construction work and renewed attention to the area’s archaeological significance.

Restoration of Jalal Al-e Ahmad’s paternal house nears completion, led by female experts

TEHRAN – The paternal home of Jalal Al-e Ahmad, one of Iran’s most influential 20th-century literary and philosophical figures, is undergoing the final stages of restoration, thanks to the efforts of a dedicated team of Iranian women.

Esfahak village gains UNESCO research chair for earth architecture

TEHRAN - The village of Esfahak in South Khorasan province has been awarded one of UNESCO’s 34 prestigious research chairs, marking an achievement for the local and national cultural heritage and scientific communities.

Shaikha Al Nowais elected as secretary-general of UN Tourism

TEHRAN – In a landmark decision on Friday, the Executive Council of UN Tourism elected Shaikha Al Nowais of the United Arab Emirates as its next secretary-general for the 2026–2029 term.

Tehran to host UN Tourism’s forum on urban tourism

Tehran, Iran – The UN Tourism, in collaboration with Iran’s Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts, will host the UN Tourism Global Forum on Urban Tourism in Tehran from June 24 to 25.

German ambassador highlights archaeology as a cultural bridge between Tehran and Berlin

TEHRAN - German Ambassador to Iran, Markus Potzel, has described archaeology as a shared language of civilizations and a powerful bridge linking Iran and Germany through science and culture.

Artifacts from Qajar and early Pahlavi eras discovered in Tehran park

TEHRAN - Recent archaeological discoveries made during urban development projects in Yas Park, located in northern Tehran, have been confirmed to date back to the Qajar and early Pahlavi periods.

Finnish ambassador visits Mazandaran, honors environmental legacy of ‘Mother of the Cranes’

TEHRAN – Finland’s Ambassador to Iran, Jani Johannes Raippana, has praised Iran’s vast investment potential, particularly in the northern province of Mazandaran, describing its economic capacities as “unparalleled,” especially in the fields of tourism, fisheries, agriculture, and mining.

Treasury of National Jewels to reopen to the public in Tehran

TEHRAN – After a temporary closure, the Treasury of National Jewels in Tehran is once again welcoming visitors, starting Saturday, May 31 (10 Khordad in the Iranian calendar).

Kermanshah identifies 50 new villages with high tourism potential

TEHRAN - The Department of Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts in Kermanshah province has announced the identification of 50 lesser-known villages with strong tourism potential, aiming to promote rural and nature-based tourism across the western Iranian province.

Wezmeh Cave in west Zagros reveals window into prehistoric ecosystems

TEHRAN - In a landmark archaeological discovery, researchers have uncovered a remarkably diverse assemblage of Late Pleistocene and Early Holocene animal remains from Wezmeh Cave in western Iran’s Zagros Mountains.

New book brings ancient skeletons of Iranian plateau to life through storytelling and science

TEHRAN - A newly published Persian-language book titled “101 Narrations from Skeletons of Ancient Sites of Iranian Plateau” by Mehrnoosh Zadehdabagh offers a unique glimpse into the lives—and deaths—of ancient inhabitants of Iran.

Bangladesh ambassador visits historical attractions in Urmia, northwest Iran

TEHRAN - The Ambassador of Bangladesh to Iran, Manjurul Karim Khan Chowdhury, has visited the city of Urmia in northwest Iran, where he toured several of its prominent historical and cultural landmarks.

Damghan, a treasure trove for cultural travelers and history enthusiasts

TEHRAN - Steeped in history and dotted with architectural marvels, Damghan in Iran’s Semnan province is a treasure trove for cultural travelers and history enthusiasts.