TEHRAN -- The Construction project of Marvdasht Islamic Azad University near Persepolis was declared illegal by Iran’s Monuments and Sites Office on Sunday.

“Three perimeters have previously been determined for the ancient site of Persepolis and every construction project within these perimeters is illegal,” office director Siavash Saberi told the Persian service of CHN.
The project, which is located within the second perimeter of Persepolis, began in March 2008 to develop the educational areas of the Marvdasht Islamic Azad University that was previously located at the site.
Deep foundations have been dug for the buildings, which are over 4 meters in depth.
The perimeters were determined in 1978 by the Achaemenid Research Foundation, a research center established before the Islamic Revolution to oversee work at Persepolis. It was then replaced by the Parseh and Pasargadae Research Foundation, which previously denounced the construction project.
The Marvdasht Islamic Azad University, which possesses an archaeology department, is expected to be familiar with the regulations concerning cultural heritage.
According to Saberi, the Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts Organization plans to sue Marvdasht Islamic Azad University.