Is Iran About to Change Its Capital? Here’s Why

Iran is considering relocating its capital city.

The country is reportedly contemplating shifting its capital from Tehran to Makran, located in the southern region, according to several media sources.

But what prompted this decision, and why is Iran considering such a move?

What happened?

Let’s first take a quick look at Tehran.

According to Newsweek, Tehran was established as Iran’s capital more than 200 years ago by Āghā Moḥammad Khān, the first ruler of the Qājār dynasty.

Ynet News quoted Iran’s government spokesperson Fatemeh Mohajerani as saying that the country is considering relocating its capital from Tehran to the southern part of the country.

“The new capital will definitely be in the south, in the Makran region, and we are currently working on this matter,” Mohajerani was quoted as saying.

The Makran region is located in the Sistan and Baluchestan province, near its southern coast and the Gulf of Oman.

Mohajerani further mentioned that two committees have been formed to assess the feasibility of this move.

“We are seeking assistance from academics, elites and experts, including engineers, sociologists and economists,” she said, according to Newsweek. She also added that the project is still in its “exploratory phase.”

What is the reason for Iran doing this?

Iran is considering this move due to a variety of challenges Tehran is facing.

According to Ynet News, Tehran is grappling with environmental issues and high population density. Some residents are dealing with power shortages, while others are facing a water crisis. Mohajerani was quoted by Ynet News as saying that, while it is not an urgent issue, it is important for experts to look into it.

She added that while the government is working to address Tehran’s problems, it is also exploring how to utilize resources in other parts of the country.

As per Tehran Times, Makran, which is situated near the Gulf of Oman, also offers strategic benefits. Makran could potentially become a commercial and maritime hub in the future.

This move would not only benefit Iran’s trade but also alleviate pressure on Tehran.

Iran’s Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref was quoted as saying that the development of the region “is a priority for the current government.”

Makran has been historically significant since the Achaemenid Empire. With over 1,000 kilometers of coastline and the Chabahar Free Trade-Industrial Zone, which has been under development since 2003, Iran aims to transform Makran into an international trade corridor connecting Central Asia to the Indian Ocean.

This is not a new concept. As per Newsweek, shifting Iran’s capital from Tehran was first proposed during Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s presidency in the early 2000s. Former President Hassan Rouhani also suggested it as a way to address Tehran’s problems.

Now, Masoud Pezeshkian’s government has revived the idea.

The outlet quoted Pezeshkian as saying last week, “One of the reasons that has led us to consider changing the capital is the imbalance between resources and expenditures in Tehran.

“Transporting raw materials from the south to the center, processing them, and then returning them south for export drains our competitive capacity. We must shift the country’s economic and political center to the south and closer to the sea.”

However, not everyone supports this idea.

As per Ynet News, critics have raised concerns about the high cost and logistical challenges of relocating Iran’s capital. They argue that such a move could harm Tehran’s economy, with the consequences potentially lasting for years, if not decades.

Conservative journalist Ali Gholhaki criticized the proposal.

“Rebuilding Azadi Stadium takes 18 months and costs 19 trillion rials ($23.75 million); how much time and money does relocating the capital require? Think over a century and hundreds of billions of dollars!” Gholhaki wrote on X.