Iran has offered to assist in the restoration of Taq Kasra, also known as the Arch of Ctesiphon, a significant Sasanian-era Persian architectural monument located near Baghdad, Iraq. Mohammad-Mehdi Imanipour, head of Iran's Islamic Culture and Communication Organization, made the offer during a meeting with Ahmed Fakak Al-Badrani in Tehran on Thursday, May 8, 2025.
Imanipour emphasized the importance of Taq Kasra to the Iranian people and expressed concern that restoration efforts have not yet commenced. He stated Iran's willingness to contribute to its preservation and repair if the Iraqi government agrees. Imanipour also highlighted the growing cultural cooperation between Iran and Iraq, noting the potential for joint efforts in preserving and restoring archaeological heritage.
Taq Kasra, or Arch of Ctesiphon, dates back to the Sasanian era (c. 3rd-6th centuries AD) and was part of the imperial palace complex. The exact construction date is debated, with some historians attributing it to the reign of Shapur I (242-272 AD) and others to Anushiruwan the Just (Khosrow I) around 540 AD. The monument is the only visible remaining structure of the ancient capital city of Ctesiphon. The archway is considered a landmark in architectural history and is the second-largest single-span vault of unreinforced brickwork in the world.