Iran Considers Relocating Capital from Tehran to Makran Region
The Iranian government is considering moving its capital from Tehran to a coastal region on the Gulf of Oman due to mounting urban challenges, including severe traffic congestion, water shortages, pollution, and the sinking of land. This idea, which has been discussed intermittently since 1979, has gained traction under reformist President Masoud Pezeshkian, who took office in July 2023.
Key Issues Behind the Move:
- Tehran is facing multiple urban issues, including traffic jams, subsidence (land sinking), water scarcity, and air pollution.
- The Makran region, located in the southern Sistan-Baluchistan and Hormozgan provinces, is being seriously considered for relocation.
- Government spokeswoman Fatemeh Mohajerani confirmed that the authorities are exploring this possibility but did not provide a timeline.
Makran as a Potential New Capital:
- Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has emphasized the region’s potential as a future economic hub.
- The move would also aim to reduce Tehran’s growing problems and shift the political and economic center of the country closer to the sea.
Opposition and Challenges:
- Critics argue that Tehran holds deep cultural and strategic significance, having been the capital since 1786.
- The city is home to about 18 million residents and serves as Iran’s cultural and political center.
- Some, like urban planning professor Ali Khaksar Rafsanjani, argue that Tehran’s location is crucial in emergencies and war situations, making the Makran region, with its proximity to the Gulf of Oman, a vulnerable alternative.
Financial and Logistical Hurdles:
- The financial cost of moving the capital is a significant concern. A 2024 estimate suggested that relocating could require around $100 billion.
- The Makran region, while offering the potential for economic growth and reduced seismic risk, faces environmental challenges like water scarcity, climate change, and limited development prospects.
Strategic Ambitions:
- Some analysts view the potential relocation to Makran as part of Iran’s broader strategic goals, aiming to compete with major ports like Dubai and Gwadar.
- The move could strengthen the coastal city of Chabahar, despite sanctions, and reaffirm Iran’s presence in the Persian Gulf waterway.
The proposal to move the capital remains controversial. While Makran holds significant strategic and economic potential, the financial, environmental, and cultural challenges make it unclear whether this ambitious plan will come to fruition.
