TEHRAN – Iran’s long-running bid to secure UNESCO World Heritage status for the historic town of Masuleh has entered a new stage following a field assessment by an expert from the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS).
Shaiful Shahidan, a Malaysian ICOMOS expert, visited Masuleh in Gilan Province to assess its historic architecture, archaeological sites and ancient ironworking remains. His visit also included meetings with local residents and heritage specialists.
Iranian authorities hope the revised nomination, titled the Cultural Landscape of Masuleh and its Associated Ironworking Sites, will be considered by the UNESCO World Heritage Committee in 2027. However, the final decision will depend on the outcome of the technical evaluation.
Masuleh, renowned for its distinctive stepped architecture and mountain setting, was registered on Iran’s National Heritage List in 1975 and added to UNESCO’s Tentative List in 2007.
Iran submitted its nomination for consideration at the 45th session of the World Heritage Committee in Riyadh in 2023. However, following an assessment by ICOMOS, the nomination was deferred because of shortcomings in its supporting documentation, particularly concerning the region’s historical iron production.
The committee allowed Iran to retain its nomination opportunity while addressing the concerns. It also emphasized the importance of involving local communities in conservation and management and ensuring that tourism development benefits residents without damaging the town’s social and economic structure.
Since then, Iranian authorities have expanded archaeological investigations to strengthen the evidence of Masuleh’s industrial heritage.
In June 2025, a joint Iranian-Chinese archaeological team began its second season of research in the surrounding highlands. The team investigated evidence of ancient ironworking, including sponge iron production and remains dating to the Iron Age.
At the Khan-Baji-Sara site, researchers identified an ancient settlement and a workshop associated with iron production. Gilan’s cultural heritage authorities also announced the discovery of two furnaces during subsequent excavations.
In January 2026, Ali Darabi, Iran’s deputy minister for cultural heritage, announced that the revised nomination dossier had been completed and was ready for submission to UNESCO.
Further conservation measures were also pursued, including protection of the historic site’s boundaries, improvements to access routes and the installation of 
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