TEHRAN- Iranian authorities have confiscated a number of historical relics, which are estimated to date back to the Safavid era (1501–1736), from smugglers in Bandar Abbas, the capital city of the southern Hormozgan province.

After days of intelligence operations 23 historical objects including crowns, earrings, bracelets, necklaces, daggers, and all kinds of precious stones were seized from four smugglers, ILNA quoted Gholamreza Jafari, a provincial police commander, as saying on Tuesday.

Cultural heritage experts are assessing that the objects worth 80 billion rials (some $1.9 million at the official rate of 42,000 rials), he explained.

The culprits were surrendered to the judicial system for further investigation, he added.

The Safavid dynasty was one of the most significant ruling dynasties of the country, often considered the beginning of modern Iranian history.

Known as the province of islands, Hormozgan province is located on the northern coasts of the Persian Gulf. It embraces scenic islands among which Kish, Hormuz, Hengam, and Qeshm are the most beautiful ones and top tourist destinations in southern Iran.

Over the past couple of decades, the coral Kish Island has become a beach resort where visitors can swim, shop, and sample a laid-back and relatively liberated local lifestyle. It is home to free-trade-zone status, with ever-growing hotels, shopping centers, apartment blocks, and retail complexes.

Hormuz, which is mostly barren and hilly, is situated some eight kilometers off the coast on the Strait of Hormuz, which attracts many tourists by its colorful mountains, silver sand shores, and great local people.

Hengam Island has scenery rocky shores, serene sunset, and kind natives, which can attract travelers who enjoy a relaxing trip by spending time on this tranquil island.

Qeshm Island is a heaven for eco-tourists as it embraces wide-ranging attractions such as the Hara marine forests and about 60 villages dotted mostly across its rocky coastlines. The island also features geologically eye-catching canyons, hills, caves, and valleys, most of which are protected as part of the UNESCO-tagged Qeshm Island Geopark, itself a haven for nature-lovers.

ABU/MG