Iran’s plan to sell historic sites sparks 'monumental' controversy

There is a sense that the sites are an integral part of Iran's national identity and collective memory and should not be reduced to a mere economic asset that can be handed over to the private sector for financial gain.

Opponents of the sale argue that the state institutions responsible for preserving and promoting the sites should prioritise their cultural, artistic, and historical essence.

The committee overseeing the sale process consists of representatives from the highest political and governmental levels in Iran, including the first vice president, as well as the ministers of economy, interior, and urban construction.

Additionally, figures from the Supreme Planning Corporation, parliament, and the judiciary are involved. This composition has raised concerns among those interested in the preservation of Iranian heritage, as it hints at the possibility of a recurring trend of offering other historical treasures for sale.

The Iranian authorities view the move as a means of revitalising Iran's cultural and historical heritage through partnerships with the private sector.

They point to previous reports from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (Unesco) that have warned of the potential "collapse" of numerous Iranian archaeological sites due to inadequate government care and protection.

The government has historically not allocated sufficient funds for their preservation and has not utilised them to promote tourism and the cultural economy, as it has done with religious sites, both historical and modern.

New laws, many potential sales      

Economic and political factors opening the way for policy have converged over the past two years, setting up not just the sales already proposed, but many more in the future.

In mid-2022, the Iranian parliament passed a law granting the government authority to sell archaeological and historical artefacts, sites, and discoveries. The 21-article legislation includes provisions for private-sector investment, protection, partnerships, and excavation.

Its action bypassed a long-standing Iranian law that strictly prohibited the sale or promotion of antiquities and the new rules contradict international standards.

The law was proposed by 46 members of the parliament, who explained in the preface that it aimed to "transform Iran into a centre for the sale and purchase of ancient artefacts" and to prevent unauthorised excavations.

They argued that the existing legal approach to treasures and antiquities required revision. They emphasised that a significant portion of Iran's spiritual heritage had already been destroyed due to concerns about legal consequences and covert transfers via land and sea.

They expressed concern that valuable minerals with ancient significance, often worth thousands of times more than gold or silver, were being melted down instead of being preserved and appreciated.

The deputies further justified the law by saying that it would provide the country with a much-needed source of foreign currency, generate employment opportunities for graduates in history and antiquities, and protect artefacts from looting and selling at low prices to smugglers and intermediaries.

Academic opposition

However, the legislation prompted a strong adverse reaction from 61 Iranian professors of archaeology. They expressed their opposition in a letter addressed to Parliament's Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf. They denounced the law, stating that it not only failed to prevent unprofessional excavations but also authorised thieves to destroy Iran's cultural heritage under the protection of the law.

Iran's economic crisis has played a significant role in motivating the authorities to pursue the sale of monuments and historical sites. The Iranian government sees these cultural assets as potential sources of substantial foreign currency earnings, which is crucial considering the severe liquidity crisis and decline in public resources.

Observers anticipate that the inflation rate in Iran – which has already exceeded 40% for many basic commodities – will continue to rise in the coming years. The Iranian economic crisis is chronic and attributed not only to sanctions but also to environmental changes, government performance, and overall economic quality, as acknowledged by Iranian officials.

A profitable reinvestment

While the exact amount of revenue that the Iranian public treasury may generate from these sales is uncertain, it is expected to reach hundreds of millions of dollars. These archaeological sites, in addition to their cultural and historical value, possess attributes that make them viable for profitable reinvestment.

Factors such as their expansive areas, renowned status, and central locations in major cities contribute to their potential economic value.

The Iranian authorities are striving to gather funds and expand the country's economy, which is estimated to be 4% to 8% smaller than it was in 2010. Iran currently faces significant isolation from global markets and sources of hard currency due to sanctions.

The 19 sites already on sale hold immense cultural and historical significance, resonant on a global scale as well as dating back hundreds of years in Iran's political and cultural history.

The specific conditions imposed on their new owners are, as yet, unknown. But they are likely to be restrictions to prevent any alteration to their structure or character. Some members of the supervisory committee have informed local media that the new owners will be granted the right to invest under the condition that the essence and identity of the sites are preserved.

Rayen Citadel

At the forefront of these archaeological treasures is the Rayen Citadel in Kerman province, located in the central part of the country. 

Its construction dates back approximately 1,500 years to the era of the Sasanian Empire, during the reign of King Yazdegerd III. Later, it became the capital of the Zand state during the rule of Prince Mirza Hossein Khan.

The citadel was designed as a formidable fortress, situated on a plateau overlooking the slopes of the Rayen River, from which it derived its name. For centuries, it served as a secure haven for the ruling authorities of Iran, particularly during times of Mongol wars.

Rayen Citadel holds great national significance according to Iranian historians, as it remained occupied and utilised across various periods and civilisations, bridging Iran's ancient history to the present day.

It features an inner royal palace with two floors, enclosed by two parallel walls, with a war corridor situated between them, fortified by 12 outer towers and four inner towers. The highest inner towers command control over the 16 towers. Particularly impressive is the castle's ability to sustain the diverse needs of its inhabitants during prolonged sieges.

In addition to internal warehouses and access to water from the nearby river, the castle housed numerous industrial and artisan workshops catering to both military and civilian requirements.

Located in the southeast of the capital city of Tehran, the Naser al-Din Shah Palace holds architectural value comparable to that of the Rayen Citadel.

Constructed in 1834, this historic building near the public garden spans an impressive area of 4,500 square meters. Originally built as a summer residence for the Qajar rulers, the palace was situated outside the old city of Tehran at the time of its construction.

The building has suffered from neglect since the early 1980s. Only a small group of guards is responsible for its maintenance and attending to visitors.

Despite the Qajar royal family retaining ownership of the palace even after their ousting from the government, their various palaces, including this one, were confiscated in the early 1980s and transformed into public property, from when insufficient care, protection, and renovation have been provided.

Iranian architects consider the place a rare example of the incorporation of the Qajar architectural style,  common in cities such as Isfahan, Yazd, and Kashan into the capital, Tehran. Prior to the construction of this palace, Tehran did not possess many such architectural gems.

The palace stands out with its grand and intricately designed domes and spacious courtyards. Its wide balconies offer stunning views of the surrounding area, contrasting with the enclosed nature of the city's traditional style.

The palace has defied calls for its demolition and stands in an area prone to vandalism, but it has managed to survive and preserve its distinctive architecture in the royal style. It holds significant sentimental value for the residents of the capital, who hope that if it is acquired by the private sector, it can be transformed into a restaurant or hotel.

Khosro Agha Hammam

The Khosro Agha Hammam (Bath) is located in the city of Isfahan. This expansive building was established in 1713 during Isfahan's prominence as the capital of the Safavid Empire.

It holds a special place in collective memory. It appears in poems, literary narratives, and folk tales, often depicted as a venue for intrigues and intimate gatherings.

The Hammam served as a comprehensive recreational center, featuring royal halls, meeting halls, clothing centres, cafes, and spacious areas for relaxation, prayer, and worship.

It also boasted large water tanks ingeniously designed to provide heating for the entire bathhouse. The presence of large white rocks on the floor, small ceramic pieces embedded in the walls, and strategically placed open ceilings ensured that the sun's rays illuminated the bathhouse.

Since the mid-1970s, the Khosro Agha Hammam has become a focal point of contention between its owners – the cultural and artistic elite of the city – and the municipal authorities and new investors.

During that time, authorities sought to demolish the historic bathhouse under the pretext of constructing a highway that would bisect the city centre. However, popular objections thwarted those plans.

The situation escalated further after the Islamic Revolution in 1979 when rumours circulated that the Hammam was a centre of "vice" leading to efforts to pressure its owners and visitors to abandon it.

In 1980, a time bomb was even planted inside the bathhouse, intensifying the campaign to force residents to vacate the premises.

Harandi Park

The Harandi Park in Kerman, another architectural masterpiece, is also up for sale. Spanning over 25,000 square meters, the park is named after its owner, Abu al-Qasim Harandi, a prominent businessman who donated it to the government after purchasing it. It stands as a testament to the era of prosperity enjoyed by the Iranian bourgeoisie in earlier times.

The park incorporates various Persian motifs and showcases historical Iranian architectural elements. It features buildings for esteemed residents, a public bath, a horse stable, and even a bullfighting arena.

There are gardens and dozens of water fountains, designed based on traditional hydraulic principles of water movement. Reception halls for receptions, once used by royal families, were later converted into offices for different government departments.

Grand Hotel, Tehran

Another site of significance is the Grand Hotel, constructed in the late Qajar era at the beginning of the 20th century. Inspired by modern European hotels, it represents the fusion of Persian architecture with its Western and global counterparts.

The hotel hosted numerous kings and visiting leaders, serving as a cultural and artistic hub for the Iranian elite until 1979. However, it has since been neglected and transformed into offices and shops for electrical instrument dealers in Tehran.

Cultural concerns

Worries that the sale of such cultural sites could become a widespread practice have taken hold of  the Iranian cultural and artistic elite.

There is concern it could spread to the oldest and most emblematic historical treasures of Iranian history, including Achaemenid monuments, Sasanian castles, and Safavid palaces, which hold immense symbolic, educational, and national identity value for the country.

The government's explanations – which aim to convince the public that these efforts seek to utilise historical sites and promote knowledge of Iranian antiquities in a legal and transparent manner –have been met with scepticism.

The cultural and artistic community draw on an established and long-standing tradition of disseminating Iranian history among academics, enthusiasts, tourists, and global culture.

They argue that the government's pursuit of financial gain, despite the traditional forms of care and protection provided by state institutions, undermines the true essence and purpose of preserving historical treasures.

Unesco's list

Iran boasts 56 places on Unesco's "Tentative List" of World Heritage sites, which is formed of candidates for inclusion on the international body's full inventory of globally significant historic places. That underlines its status as a nation with one of the richest heritages.

But the country's archaeologists warn that the monuments are in danger of being removed from the list, due to mishandling, lack of protection, and insufficient periodic restoration of the sites.

That has significant implications for historical tourism. Unesco's list serves as a major source for attracting global visitors interested in historical heritage.