Iranian archaeology academics have written an open letter urging parliament to withdraw a proposed bill allowing antiquities commerce, according to Iranian media.

According to the ISNA news agency, “a group of archaeology academics from throughout the country asked for the withdrawal of a measure that would enable the exchange of historical artefacts.”

According to the news agency, 46 out of 290 MPs presented the draught bill, called “optimal utilisation of historic artefacts and riches,” earlier this week.

According to ISNA, lawmakers intend to convert Iran into a “regional centre” for antiquities commerce in order to avoid “cheap smuggling of national treasure.”

Iranian media frequently reports arrests of people suspected of smuggling artefacts out of the country.

The professors chastised the MPs in their letter for introducing the bill “without any consultation with official archaeological institutes.”

“Not only does this plan not prevent historic damage and amateurish excavations, but it also legally authorises looters to harm our legacy,” the letter said.

Iran has 26 UNESCO World Heritage Sites and another 53 on the body’s preliminary list.