The residence of renowned Iranian director Abbas Kiarostami, winner of the 1997 Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival, was struck during a recent airstrike in Iran, officials said.

Spokesperson for Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Esmaeil Baghaei, condemned the strikes carried out by the United States and Israel, questioning the justification for targeting a civilian’s home.

“Even the home of a cultural icon was not spared by the bombs of American-Israeli aggressors,” Baghaei wrote on X, emphasizing the symbolic impact of the attack.

He further challenged whether the residence of Kiarostami—a figure celebrated globally for his contributions to cinema—could be considered a legitimate military target.

Baghaei described the assault as part of a broader campaign, calling it a “war against culture,” asserting that the attacks threaten not only Iran’s security but also its heritage, civilization, and national identity.

The remarks come amid escalating regional tensions following continued U.S. and Israeli military actions against targets in Iran.