Sites in Iran, Lebanon and Palestine among 25 new additions to Unesco’s World Heritage List

Unesco added 25 properties to its World Heritage List during the 48th session of the World Heritage Committee in Busan, South Korea, held from 19–29 July. Among the new inscriptions are Alamut Castle and related fortifications in Iran—bringing Iran’s total to 30 World Heritage Sites—and Sebastia in the West Bank, Palestine, which was inscribed under emergency procedures and simultaneously placed on the World Heritage in Danger List. Lebanon and Palestine’s additions were also placed on the Danger List, a move that angered Israel, which objected to the Palestinian nomination of Sebastia. Iranian officials including deputy minister Ali Darabi attended, and site director Hamideh Choubak said protecting Alamut’s authenticity and integrity is now the top priority.

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