Speaking on Monday at a ceremony marking International Museum Day and the beginning of Cultural Heritage Week at the National Museum of Iran, Salehi‑Amiri emphasized the deep connection between cultural heritage, national identity, and the historical endurance of the Iranian people.
The event was attended by cultural veterans, researchers, heritage restorers, university professors, heritage managers, and families active in the cultural sector.
He said enemies devoid of history and civilization now stand against the world’s oldest living civilization, but Iran remains powerful through culture, national cohesion and sacrifice.
He honored martyrs of the recent war and the Minab school, stressing their blood will never be wasted and that perpetrators will face global conscience and international courts. Referring to Hiroshima and Vietnam, he called Minab the United States’ third great crime in contemporary history, which will not be erased from Iranians’ historical memory.
Salehi Amiri described attacks on Iran’s monuments as a sign of civilizational hostility. He said the assault on 149 historical sites is a stain on the Israeli regime and the United States. Lacking history and civilization, they rage against Iran’s ancient heritage, he said, adding that yet the Iranian nation, instead of weakening, has become more united, turning wounds into a bridge toward national solidarity.
He further described cultural heritage professionals as guardians of Iran’s ancient treasure, noting that the country’s standing in the world is rooted in its rich historical and cultural foundations.
According to the minister, Iran’s cultural assets play a key role in strengthening national cohesion and preserving the country’s historical memory.
Salehi‑Amiri highlighted Iran’s vast cultural resources, saying the country is home to more than one million historical sites and about 43,000 nationally registered heritage works, making it one of the world’s major centers of cultural heritage.
He said Cultural Heritage Week aims to remind both Iranians and the international community that Iran is a land of ancient narratives, civilizations, and historical continuity. The week also seeks to promote awareness among younger generations about the importance of protecting cultural heritage as a strategic national asset.
On the sidelines of the ceremony, a photo exhibition titled “Standing in the Dust” was inaugurated. The exhibition displays 30 photographs of historical monuments and sites that have suffered damage in recent US-Israeli aggression against Iran, highlighting the importance of preserving cultural heritage and reinforcing the role of museums as guardians of historical memory and national identity.
IRNA