Minister calls for dynamic new role in heritage research
Iran’s Minister of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts Reza Salehi-Amiri called on Saturday for a sweeping overhaul of the Research Institute of Cultural Heritage and Tourism, urging the institution to prioritize archaeological excavations, future-oriented studies, and policy-driven research during a meeting with its senior managers and academics in Tehran.
Salehi-Amiri said the institute should evolve from a largely archival body into a dynamic center for strategic knowledge production, capable of addressing emerging cultural and tourism challenges while helping shape national policymaking, CHTN reported.
The minister identified systematic archaeological excavations as a key research priority, highlighting the historical and archaeological potential of western and central Iranian provinces such as Hamedan and Qazvin.
He also called for a dedicated program to document, study, and protect Tehran’s cultural heritage, with particular attention to the ancient urban centers of Rey and Varamin and other historically significant sites surrounding the capital.
Salehi-Amiri said Iran possesses more than two million manuscripts, describing the collection as a civilizational treasure that underpins the country’s historical memory and scholarly traditions. He also stressed the importance of preserving Iran’s linguistic diversity, saying regional languages and dialects form an integral part of the nation’s intangible cultural heritage.
Framing the institute as a cornerstone of Iran’s cultural governance system, the minister urged stronger cooperation between its research departments and the ministry’s specialized agencies, including the tourism sector, to improve coordination and enhance policy outcomes.
He also emphasized the need to cultivate a new generation of heritage specialists by expanding opportunities for young researchers to work alongside leading scholars and experts.
“The institute must become a reference center for knowledge production, foresight studies and scientific solutions,” Salehi-Amiri said, adding that safeguarding Iran’s historical memory should go hand in hand with shaping the country’s cultural future.