TEHRAN–Restoration of the ancient castle of Qaleh Rostam in Hamun county, southeastern Sistan-Baluchestan province, is complete by 75 percent, the deputy provincial tourism chief has said.

A budget of 8.8 billion rials ($30,000) has been allocated to the project, Mojtaba Sa’adatian explained on Sunday.

The project which involves strengthening the structure and repairing the damaged parts is expected to come to an end within two months, the official added.

The collective province — Sistan in the north and Baluchestan in the south — accounts for one of the driest regions of Iran with a slight increase in rainfall from east to west and an obvious rise in humidity in the coastal regions. In ancient times, the region was a crossword in the Indus Valley and the Babylonian civilizations.

The province possesses special significance because of being located in a strategic transit location, especially Chabahar, which is the only ocean port in Iran and the best and easiest access route of the middle Asian countries to free waters.

The vast province is home to several distinctive archaeological sites and natural attractions, including two UNESCO World Heritage sites, namely Shahr-e-Soukhteh (Burnt City) and the Lut desert.

ABU/AM