Iran takes back purchased artworks from US after nearly 40 years
Iran has taken back over a dozen pieces of American art pieces purchased nearly 40 years ago but blocked for export due to a rupture in bilateral relations since Iran’s Islamic Revolution.
According to an informed source with Iran’s Center for International Law of the Presidential Office, 10 of the 14 pieces were drawn by late Michael Graves and the remaining four by Robert A. M. Stern, both highly acclaimed American architects, IRNA reported on Friday.
The artworks were purchased by Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art in 1978, a year prior to the Islamic Revolution, the unnamed source further said, adding the art delivery was the outcome of a lawsuit filed by Iranian officials two years ago with a tribunal created in 1981 under an agreement known as the Algiers Accords.
The tribunal, based in The Hague, Netherlands, created a mechanism for Iranians and Americans to seek impounded assets from each other’s country after their bilateral relations were severed in 1979.
The Iranian official also further noted that the artworks were first transferred to Amsterdam and once experts from Iran’s Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance confirmed their authenticity, they were taken to the Islamic Republic.
The New York Times said in a report on Friday that an unnamed US State Department official has confirmed the delivery.
“A claim was brought before the tribunal related to various pieces of artwork Iran contracted to purchase prior to 1979,” the official said, adding that the claim “has now been resolved and the specific pieces of artwork have been transferred to Iran,” and that the transfer had been completed “in the last couple of months.”
The value of the masterpieces has not been disclosed by the two countries.
How Iranian scholar Allameh Tabataba'i inspired French Orientalist Corbin
Iranian students win 5 gold medals, 2 special awards at ISIF 2024
‘Poetic genius’: Allama Iqbal Lahori in the words of Ayatollah Khamenei
VIDEO | New Delhi chokes under toxic smog as air quality remains at hazardous levels
VIDEO | Press TV's news headlines
VIDEO | ICC's arrest warrant for Netanyahu to worry Western politicians: Former British diplomat
Iranians protest against Israel after Netanyahu ICC warrant
Germany undecided on complying with ICC arrest warrants for Israeli war criminals
VIDEO | Former FBI agent criticizes US Congress for 'outright corruption'
IRGC chief urges Muslim countries to cut aid routes to Israel
'New chapter in cooperation': Iran, Venezuela sign new MoUs
PressTV NEWSLETTER
now
This makes it easy to access the Press TV website
