The head of the Tourism and Cultural Heritage Committee of Tehran’s City Council outlined the catastrophic dimensions of what he described as civilizational and economic terrorism resulting from recent attacks by the United States and the Israeli regime on Iranian soil.
Seyed Ahmad Alavi referred to alarming reports by international bodies and field monitoring across the country, stating: “At the height of its desperation and failure on the battlefield, the enemy has vented its hostility against the identity and civilization of this land. According to the latest figures, since the beginning of this imposed aggression, more than 120 registered historical sites across the country have been damaged.”
The Tehran City Council member expressed regret over the scale of destruction in the capital, noting: “Among the damaged sites, 43 are located in Tehran, including the unique Golestan Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Attacking structures that embody the architectural and historical identity of humanity is a clear example of a war crime and cultural terrorism that must not go unanswered by the international community.”
Alavi also elaborated on the broader economic consequences of these developments, adding: “Security is the fundamental foundation of the tourism industry. Based on data from the World Travel & Tourism Council, recent conflicts and attacks on Iran’s stability have caused crushing daily losses of $600 million to the travel and tourism industry across the Middle East.”
He emphasized: “When the United States and Zionism target Iran’s security as a regional anchor, they in fact undermine the security brand of all neighboring countries. This sharp decline in international tourist arrivals is a penalty that the livelihoods of people across the region are paying for foreign adventurism.”
Alavi concluded: “The enemy assumes that by damaging our ancient bricks and tiles, it can sever this nation’s bond with its proud history. However, it fails to realize that every wound inflicted on our historical structures only strengthens our determination to restore Iran’s greatness. At the municipal level, we stand firmly committed to protecting and restoring these valuable sites and will not allow criminals to distort the historical memory of the capital of resistance.”
(ISNA)
