Iran shuts museums, transfers artifacts to safer locations
- Last updated: June 18, 2025 | 18:57
Authorities in Iran have ordered all the museums in the country to shut down until further notice following the deadly airstrikes by Israel.
Museums are also told to transfer valuable artifacts to secure locations.
The local news agency has reported that the order to do so was issued by Ali Darabi, Iran's deputy minister and cultural heritage chief.
Iran has over 800 museums, 28 Unesco World Heritage Sites.
Country's rich cultural history stretches back thousands of years and boasts extensive and varied collections.
The National Museum of Iran in Tehran contains over 300,000 artifacts, whereas the Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art features a significant collection of works by renowned artists like Pablo Picasso, Vincent van Gogh, Andy Warhol, and Jackson Pollock.
The ministry manages about 300 museums, while the others are operated by various entities such as municipalities, the Mostazafan Foundation, or private proprietors. Everyone has been directed to adhere to the same emergency procedures to avoid looting, harm, or destruction.