Following Israel’s missile strikes on nuclear and military sites in Tehran on Friday, and amid ongoing airstrikes across the region, galleries throughout the Iranian capital have suspended operations.

On Friday, Iran’s deputy for artistic affairs at the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance announced: “Given the solidarity of cultural and artistic producers and presenters with the noble people of Iran and the families of the martyrs and the wounded, all theatrical performances, music concerts, and gallery events will be halted starting today until further notice.” 

Shirin Art Gallery postponed two solo exhibitions originally scheduled to open on June 13: “Uncollective Memories” by textile artist Leila Yaghoubi and “Endless Joy” by abstract painter Mazyar Tahouri, both Tehran-based Iranian artists. Similarly, Laleh Gallery shelved the group exhibition “New Saghakhaneh,” also slated to open on that day, which explores contemporary Iranian artists’ engagement with the cultural memory and visual language of the mid-20th-century Saqqakhaneh movement. 

Meanwhile, Bavan Gallery announced on Instagram: “Like many of you, we are also grappling with the sorrow and anxiety of these bitter days. Out of respect for the current mood and the condition of our dear people, and in recognition of the difficult circumstances we are facing, Bavan Gallery will remain closed until further notice. We hope that brighter and safer days are on the way for us all.” The Iranian Artists Forum, a major cultural hub with galleries, studios, and performance spaces, likewise announced its closure starting from June 14, with no set reopening date.

Amid widespread shutdowns in Tehran, Iranian art spaces abroad have also responded to the unfolding crisis. Ab-Anbar, a gallery founded in Tehran in 2014 and now based in London, hosted a community lunch on June 14. The gallery shared on Instagram: “In light of recent events, we’re opening our doors for a shared meal. Bring a dish, bring a drink, bring a friend, or just bring yourself. Let’s gather, eat, drink and be together.”

As of now, no major museums in Tehran have released official statements regarding the Israeli airstrikes, and no damage to museum or heritage sites has been reported. On June 15, Iran Air stated on X that authorities had completed the emergency transfer of key artifacts from major museums to secure storage facilities nationwide. A photo shared with the post showed the Museum of Ancient Iran inside the National Museum of Iran, the country’s leading institution for Persian cultural heritage, which houses artifacts spanning prehistoric, ancient, and Islamic periods.

Stella Wu is an editorial intern at ArtAsiaPacific.