Iran’s National Land and Housing Organization says its protection unit has reclaimed 480 hectares of state-owned land from illegal occupation during the first four months of the current year.

According to the organization, 1,120 cases of land encroachment were cleared immediately between late March and late July. Ali Nabian, the organization’s managing director, said the enforcement follows government efforts to safeguard public property.

Nabian added that during the same period, the unit executed 96 final court rulings in favor of the state, resulting in the recovery of an additional 132 hectares of land.

The highest number of land violations and removals were reported in the provinces of Fars, Khuzestan, and Tehran, he said.