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LONDON, (CAIS - Edited by Shapour Suren-Pahlav) -- A Sasanian Fire-Temple (Chahār-Tāqiī - a term referring to the form of the pre-Islamic Zoroastrian fire temples; a domed square with an opening on each side and no doors) along the Shiraz-Esfahan Highway, unnecessarily flattened by the Islamic Regimes’ Ministry of Road and Transport in the name of future development.

According to the report by ICHTO, the Rokn-Ābād Charahr-Taqi was located near the Bidō stream of Akbar-Ābād village, 10 km from Shiraz. The historical monument  was registered on the Heritage List in November 2004 (Reg. 10499).

The pre-Islamic Fire-Temple was 30 meters away from the highway and was no obstacle to roadwork, but the ministry ordered to destroy it with no reason.

The monument was constructed out of ashlar and gypsum and mixture of Sārōj (plaster of lime and ashes or sand), with 1.0 meter thick pillars and opening of 1.5 meter at each side.

"At the moment we are waiting for a response from the Provincial Department of Road and Transport, regarding the destruction of the site", announced the head of "Unit of Guardians of Cultural Heritage".

According to locals employed by the Ministry, for road contraction, a large amount of Zīr khākī (a term in Persian, transliterate as "under earth", and is referred to archaeological artifacts discovered during any excavation in Iran) have been discovered which were taken away by the Ministry' authorities.

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