Turkey has repatriated 55 historical artifacts to Iran.

During a ceremony held at Erzurum Archaeology Museum on Tuesday, Turkish officials handed over 55 historical artifacts to Iran’s Consulate in the eastern Turkish city.

Birol Incecikoz, Director-General of Turkey’s Cultural Heritage and Museums, stated that among the repatriated items were 42 coins, a sword from the ancient Sasanian dynasty, a bronze jug, and 11 artifacts dating back to the Bronze Age and Islamic eras. He emphasized that these artifacts have been confirmed to belong to Iran.

Incecikoz also highlighted Turkey's ongoing efforts to combat artifact smuggling, emphasizing the importance of returning cultural treasures to their countries of origin. He stated, “Every cultural artifact is a gem of the country it originates from and should be exhibited there.”

Expressing gratitude, Iranian Consul General in Erzurum Mohammad Ebrahimi thanked Turkey for locating and returning the artifacts. He underscored Iran's rich history, noting the numerous UNESCO-registered monuments in the country.