Iran has announced plans to move its capital from Tehran to a new location in the southern coastal region of Makran. This decision comes amid ongoing challenges in Tehran, including rapid population growth and severe shortages of water and electricity. Iranian government spokesperson Fatemeh Mojazherani confirmed that work on the new capital is already underway.
Tehran, currently home to around 9.4 million people, is experiencing significant environmental and infrastructural strain. With the population steadily increasing, the city's resources are being stretched beyond their limits, particularly in terms of water and electricity. The government has been grappling with these issues for years, and relocating the capital is viewed as a potential solution to ease the pressure on Tehran's overburdened infrastructure.
The new capital will be located in the Makran region, which lies along the southern coast of Iran. Mojazherani emphasized the importance of developing a sea-based economy in the area and announced the establishment of two councils to guide this economic development. The relocation is also seen as a strategy to reduce Tehran’s vulnerability to natural disasters, particularly earthquakes, which pose a major risk to the densely populated city.
President Masoud Pezeshkian, who supports the capital move, has argued that Tehran is not only at risk from seismic activity but also faces economic imbalance. He stated that moving the capital closer to the Persian Gulf would help distribute the country’s resources more evenly, fostering greater economic stability and regional development.
Despite the government's support, the proposal has sparked criticism. Detractors warn that relocating the capital would come with substantial financial and logistical challenges. The cost of such an ambitious project could place additional strain on Iran’s already struggling economy. Additionally, the transfer of governmental institutions and infrastructure to a new location would require significant investment and time.
The idea of moving Iran’s capital has been discussed for several decades. Environmental concerns have previously prompted similar proposals, particularly in 2010 when issues such as overpopulation and environmental degradation in Tehran were raised.
At this stage, the project is still in the exploratory phase, with many details about its feasibility and long-term impact yet to be determined. While it is unclear when the move might take place, the Iranian government has confirmed that planning is underway.