Ministry
of Oil has announced that it has suspended explorations in
the vicinity of the historical site of Choghazanbil and
the explosion in the area may be related to military
exercises.
According to CHN, local residents reported hearing a loud
explosion coming from the direction of Choghazanbil
Ziggurat. They thought that the explosion may have been
related to exploration operation conducted by the Oil
Ministry. However, the ministry announced later that it
had stopped explorations in the site following objections
by Iran’s Cultural Heritage and Tourism Organization
(ICHTO).
Director of the Oil Ministry’s Exploration Department,
Enayatollah Razmjou said that activities have been
suspended there since November 3 following ICHTO
objection.
“All equipment has been removed from the area and the
explosion has nothing to do with the Oil Ministry,“ he
said.
He said that the Oil Ministry is waiting to coordinate
with ICHTO to delineate the domains of Choghazanbil
cultural site before proceeding with further explorations.
Razmjou said that units of Islamic Revolution Guards Corps
are stationed in the area and the Air Force has a base in
Dezful. So, the explosion may be related to military
exercises in the region.
He said that the Oil Ministry would continue with its
exploration once it reaches an agreement with ICHTO adding
that the ministry uses advanced equipment for exploration
which will never damage cultural heritage sites.
