Iran Criticizes Taliban’s UNESCO Bid for Behzad Miniature Painting

Iran has reacted to a Taliban proposal to nominate the miniature paintings of Kamal-ud-Din Behzad for inscription on UNESCO’s Tentative List under Afghanistan’s name. Iranian officials stressed the shared cultural heritage of the region and called for dialogue and cooperation among countries with historical ties to the artwork.

Alireza Izadi, Director General of Iran’s Office for the Registration of Historical Works and the Preservation and Revitalization of Intangible and Natural Heritage, said that UNESCO does not recognize “absolute ownership” over cultural elements. He noted that elements like miniature painting reflect a shared civilizational legacy that has been nurtured across the historical geography of Iran, Afghanistan, and Tajikistan.

According to Izadi, although Persian miniature painting has previously been registered by Iran with UNESCO, if Afghanistan seeks to register a particular style such as the “Behzad School” or the “Herat School,” it must engage in dialogue with Iran and obtain official consent. He pointed out that in similar cases, such as the registration of the musical instrument ‘rebab,’ Iran and Afghanistan reached a mutual agreement and pursued joint inscription.

Izadi emphasized that the process of registering cultural heritage should proceed through multi-party dialogue without causing tensions, suggesting that such efforts could foster cultural and social closeness among regional nations instead of sparking conflict. He added that UNESCO requires precise documentation proving the origin and background of any heritage element proposed for inscription.

Given that Afghanistan is currently governed by the Taliban, the legitimacy of such international cultural proposals has been questioned, particularly regarding cultural representation, research capabilities, and the capacity to provide credible documentation. Afghan cultural circles have repeatedly asserted that the Taliban not only fail to protect cultural heritage but also jeopardize it through widespread restrictions, leading to its gradual destruction.

UNESCO is currently reviewing the Taliban’s proposal. Given the historical and cultural ties among regional countries and the sensitive nature of such heritage matters, observers hope that heritage registrations will occur within the framework of international agreements and mutual respect among nations.