Iran Suspended Explosions in Choghazanbil

News Category: Cultural

(CHN) -- Iran's 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.

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, CHN added.

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, according to CHN.

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.