For centuries, Tehran has served as Iran’s capital, acting as the nation’s political, economic, and cultural heart. However, the city faces severe urban challenges, including overpopulation, pollution, water shortages, seismic risks, and infrastructure collapse. As a result, Iran’s leadership is seriously considering relocating the capital.
Recently, Iranian President Peshan expressed support for moving the capital from Tehran to Makran, a coastal city near the Gulf of Oman. While the proposal is still under debate in Iran’s Parliament, the idea is gaining traction. This move, if approved, would mark a historic shift in Iran’s governance, economic strategy, and geopolitical positioning.
But why Makran? What advantages does it offer? And what are the potential obstacles to this relocation? This article explores the motivations, challenges, and strategic implications of Iran’s potential capital move.
Why Tehran is No Longer Sustainable
Tehran’s problems have been building for decades, and they are now reaching a breaking point. Here are some of the most pressing issues:
1. Overpopulation & Infrastructure Collapse
- Tehran is home to 9 million residents, but its greater metropolitan area exceeds 14 million.
- Iran’s Center for Progress and Development predicts that Tehran’s population could increase by 20 million over the next 30 years, making city management nearly impossible.
- The Iranian Scientific Association of Urban Economics estimates that Tehran’s population exceeds infrastructure capacity by more than 70%.
- Only 2.7 million people in Tehran have access to adequate public services, meaning most residents struggle with poor infrastructure.
At its current pace, Tehran’s urban infrastructure is expected to collapse, leaving millions without reliable water, electricity, or transportation.
2. Severe Air Pollution & Public Health Crisis
- Tehran is one of the most polluted cities in the world.
- Over 6,400 people die every year from pollution-related diseases.
- Adding millions more residents would only worsen air quality and public health issues.
3. Water Shortages & Land Subsidence
- Severe water scarcity threatens the city’s future.
- Over-extraction of groundwater has led to land subsidence, where parts of the city are sinking by several centimeters per year.
- If left unchecked, Tehran could become uninhabitable due to permanent environmental damage.
4. Earthquake Threat
- Tehran sits on a major seismic fault line along the Alborz Mountains.
- The city has experienced numerous minor tremors, with seismologists warning that a major earthquake could occur at any time.
- The last major earthquake in Iran (2003), a 6.8-magnitude quake in Bam, killed over 30,000 people.
- If a similar quake hit Tehran, experts predict over 700,000 casualties.
With these catastrophic risks, many believe relocating the capital is necessary for Iran’s future stability.
Why Makran? Strategic & Economic Considerations
The proposed new capital, Makran, is located in southern Iran, near the Persian Gulf. The location offers major strategic and economic benefits.
1. Strategic Security Considerations
- Makran is far from Tehran and other major population centers, making it less vulnerable to mass protests.
- Its isolation makes it easier for the government to control unrest.
- The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) supports the move because it ensures the survival of the ruling regime in the event of political turmoil.
- If an uprising occurs, protesters would have to travel hundreds of kilometers through harsh desert terrain to reach the capital—a near-impossible feat.
2. Economic & Trade Benefits
Makran’s location near major trade routes presents significant economic opportunities:
- Iran’s current manufacturing and trade system is inefficient. Goods are imported, processed in Tehran, and then sent back south for export, increasing costs.
- Moving the capital closer to Iran’s main export hubs would reduce transportation costs and increase efficiency.
- Makran is near Chabahar Port, a key location in the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC), which connects Russia to India via Iran.
- This corridor allows Iran to bypass Western sanctions and strengthen economic ties with Russia and India.
By shifting Iran’s economic and political gravity southward, the government hopes to decentralize economic activity and attract foreign investment.
Challenges & Costs of Relocating the Capital
Despite its benefits, relocating the capital will not be easy. The plan faces serious financial, logistical, and political challenges:
1. High Costs & Long Timeline
- Relocating the capital could cost $10 billion to $50 billion.
- The process could take 20–25 years.
- Iran’s economy is already struggling due to sanctions and declining oil revenues.
- Many argue that investing in Tehran’s infrastructure would be a better use of resources.
2. Political Opposition & Public Resistance
- Many politicians oppose the move, citing high costs and logistical difficulties.
- The Iranian government has previously proposed moving the capital multiple times, but the plans always failed.
- People cannot be forced to move, so businesses and industries may not follow the government to Makran.
3. Security Risks
- Makran is vulnerable to foreign military action, as the U.S. Navy and other regional forces patrol the nearby waters.
- Iran’s Revolutionary Guard recently revealed an underground missile base near the coast, suggesting the government is already preparing for potential threats.
- If hostilities escalate, Makran could become a primary target.
Historical Context: Past Attempts to Relocate the Capital
Iran has debated moving its capital for decades, but no decision has been finalized.
- 1991: The Supreme National Security Council proposed relocation due to worsening congestion and pollution. The plan was rejected.
- 2005–2013: President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad pushed for relocation, inspired by Turkey’s move from Istanbul to Ankara and Pakistan’s move from Karachi to Islamabad. The plan was abandoned.
- 2013–2021: President Hassan Rouhani proposed several alternative capital cities, including Isfahan, Mashhad, and Shiraz, but faced strong political resistance.
- 2024: President Peshan is reviving the debate, with Makran as the top candidate. Unlike past efforts, the IRGC supports this move, making it more likely to succeed.
This time, there is more momentum than ever, but success is far from guaranteed.
Conclusion: Will Makran Become Iran’s New Capital?
The proposal to relocate Iran’s capital to Makran is driven by necessity, economic strategy, and political survival.
✅ Advantages of moving to Makran:
- Eases overpopulation and infrastructure collapse in Tehran.
- Reduces the risk of mass protests or uprisings.
- Strengthens Iran’s role in international trade.
- Decentralizes economic activity.
❌ Challenges of moving the capital:
- High costs (up to $50 billion).
- Long timeline (20–25 years).
- Security risks near the Persian Gulf.
- Political and public resistance.
The Iranian Parliament has yet to approve the decision, but with support from the IRGC, Makran is emerging as the top candidate.
If the plan succeeds, it could reshape Iran’s future, making Makran the new center of power in the Middle East.
FAQ: Iran’s Capital Relocation to Makran
1. Why does Iran want to move its capital from Tehran?
Iran is considering relocating its capital due to severe overpopulation, pollution, water shortages, earthquake risks, and infrastructure collapse in Tehran. The city is becoming increasingly unlivable, and experts warn that its problems will only worsen in the coming decades.
2. Why was Makran chosen as the new capital?
Makran offers both strategic and economic advantages:
- Security: It is far from major population centers, reducing the risk of large-scale protests or uprisings.
- Economic benefits: Its location near Chabahar Port and international trade routes makes it ideal for economic growth.
- Infrastructure planning: Unlike Tehran, Makran can be built from scratch with modern urban planning.
3. When will the capital relocation happen?
The move is still under debate in Parliament, and no official decision has been made. If approved, the process could take 20–25 years to fully complete.
4. How much will it cost to relocate the capital?
Estimates vary widely:
- Official estimates suggest around $10 billion.
- Experts predict costs could exceed $50 billion, considering land acquisition, urban planning, and infrastructure development.
5. Has Iran tried to move the capital before?
Yes, Iran has considered relocating its capital multiple times:
- 1991: The Supreme National Security Council proposed a move, but the plan was rejected.
- 2005–2013: President Ahmadinejad proposed relocation, inspired by Turkey’s and Pakistan’s successful capital moves. Parliament did not approve the plan.
- 2013–2021: President Rouhani revived the idea, suggesting cities like Isfahan, Mashhad, and Shiraz, but faced opposition.
- 2024: President Peshan is pushing the proposal again, with Makran as the top candidate.
6. What are the biggest challenges to relocating the capital?
The plan faces several obstacles:
- Financial burden: Iran’s economy is struggling due to sanctions and declining oil revenues.
- Political resistance: Many officials believe Tehran’s problems should be fixed instead of abandoning the city.
- Public opposition: The government cannot force businesses and residents to move, making the transition uncertain.
- Security risks: Makran is located near the Persian Gulf, where U.S. and regional military forces operate, making it vulnerable to external threats.
7. How would relocating the capital benefit Iran’s economy?
Moving the capital south closer to key trade routes would:
- Reduce transportation costs by eliminating the need to send goods to Tehran and back for export.
- Encourage foreign investment in Iran’s southern industrial zones.
- Decentralize economic power, allowing other regions to develop instead of keeping all major industries in Tehran.
8. What role does the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) play in this decision?
The IRGC strongly supports moving the capital because it reduces the risk of mass protests and uprisings.
- Tehran has seen frequent anti-government protests, some of which nearly overthrew the regime.
- Makran is 1,400 km away from Tehran, making it much harder for protesters to reach the government headquarters.
- The IRGC likely sees Makran as a defensible location where it can better control political stability.
9. How does this move affect Iran’s geopolitical relations?
- Stronger ties with Russia and India: The new capital would be closer to Chabahar Port, a key link in the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC), which connects Russia, Iran, and India.
- More independence from Western trade routes: Iran could avoid reliance on Western-dominated economic networks, strengthening its regional alliances.
- Potential security risks: The U.S. and Israel may view Makran as a strategic military target, especially given Iran’s underground missile bases in the region.
10. What happens to Tehran if the capital moves?
If Makran becomes the new capital, Tehran would likely remain a major economic and cultural center, similar to how Istanbul remained Turkey’s economic hub after Ankara became the capital. However, the government may encourage businesses and residents to gradually move south to reduce Tehran’s overcrowding.
11. Is this move guaranteed to happen?
No, the relocation plan is still under discussion. While President Peshan and the IRGC support it, the final decision depends on Parliament and the Guardian Council. Given Iran’s economic struggles and political divisions, the move is far from certain.
12. What do Iranians think about this plan?
Public opinion is divided:
- Some support it, believing that Tehran’s problems are beyond repair and that moving the capital is the only solution.
- Others oppose it, arguing that the government should invest in fixing Tehran instead of abandoning it.
- Many doubt the government’s ability to complete such a massive project without corruption and mismanagement.
13. How does this compare to other countries that moved their capitals?
Several countries have successfully relocated their capitals:
- Turkey: Moved from Istanbul to Ankara (1923) for security and administrative reasons.
- Pakistan: Moved from Karachi to Islamabad (1963) to spread economic activity.
- Brazil: Moved from Rio de Janeiro to Brasília (1960) to develop the interior regions.
- Egypt: Is currently building a New Administrative Capital outside Cairo to relieve congestion.
Iran’s move would be one of the most expensive and politically complex relocations in modern history.
