Rulings — War Crimes
Iran's Heritage Belongs to Humanity
Civilization & History Must Be Sustained
The destruction of Iran's cultural heritage is not merely a tragedy — it is a violation of international law. All parties — the United States, Israel, and Iran — are legally bound by its obligations.
Mandatory Obligations of All Parties
▸ Blue Shield Marking — placement of Blue Shield emblems on museums and cultural heritage buildings
▸ Peacetime Preparation — registering and mapping all protected cultural sites
▸ Evacuation of Movable Artifacts — moving cultural property away from potential military action
▸ No Military Use — military forces must not use cultural sites for military purposes
▸ Occupying Powers — must protect cultural property under their control
Legal Status: The United States acceded to the 1954 Hague Convention in 2009. Israel has acceded to the Convention. Iran is a State Party. Violations are war crimes under international law.
I. The 1954 Hague Convention
II. 1977 Geneva Protocols
III. War Crimes & ICC
The first and most comprehensive multilateral treaty dedicated exclusively to the protection of cultural heritage in times of armed conflict. As of 2026, 138 States are party to the Convention.
Article 53 of Additional Protocol I prohibits: any acts of hostility directed against historic monuments, works of art or places of worship; their use in support of any military effort; and making them the object of reprisals.
War Crimes & ICC
Intentionally directing attacks against cultural property constitutes a war crime under Articles 8(2)(b)(ix) and 8(2)(e)(iv) of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court — applicable to both international and non-international armed conflicts.
International Legal Frameworks
ICHF's work is grounded in international legal frameworks including: the 1954 Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict; the 1972 UNESCO World Heritage Convention; the 2001 UNESCO Convention on the Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage; and U.S. Treasury OFAC General License E and § 560.545 of the Iranian Transactions and Sanctions Regulations. These frameworks collectively establish cultural heritage preservation as a protected humanitarian activity.
Amazing Underwater Life in the Strait of Hormuz, Iran
Amazing Underwater Life in the Strait of Hormuz, Iran
The Green Sea Turtle, Water Landscapes, Dolphins, Corals and All Living Sea Creatures.
Independent experts and organizations — including the Conflict and Environment Observatory (CEOBS), marine biologists, and UN-affiliated researchers — have described the overall situation in the Persian Gulf and Strait of Hormuz as involving heightened risks to the marine ecosystem, with potential long-term damage spanning years to decades for full recovery in heavily affected coastal or polluted areas.
"100% volunteer-run board" — Every donation goes directly to preserving Iran's heritage