Mideast in Pictures: Iran's renowned UNESCO-listed Golestan Palace before, after U.S.-Israeli strikes

TEHRAN, March 7 (Xinhua) -- The United States and Israel escalated their military campaign against Iran on Feb. 28 with a wave of massive airstrikes that killed Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, several senior military commanders, and hundreds of civilians.

The campaign, now entering its eighth day, has also caused damaged to the Golestan Palace, one of the oldest complexes in Iran's capital of Tehran and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The Golestan Palace, inscribed on the World Heritage List in 2013, was originally built during the Safavid dynasty in the historic walled city.

Following extensions and additions, the site received its most characteristic features in the 19th century, when the palace complex was selected as the royal residence and seat of power by the Qajar ruling family.

UNESCO has called the site "a masterpiece of the Qajar era, embodying the successful integration of earlier Persian crafts and architecture with Western influences."