In recent weeks a rumor has been circulating around social platforms and state media about Iran’s plans for changing its capital from Tehran to the southern region of Makran in Sistan and Baluchistan province in close proximity to the Gulf of Oman. According to Mohajerani, spokesperson for the government, two committees have been established for analyzing the economic potential of Markan and possible solutions for resolving environmental and social problems of Tehran.
Tehran is facing major problems
Tehran was selected as the capital of Iran 200 years ago by the founder of the Qajar dynasty, Agha Mohammed Khan. Back then it was an area of interest for many rulers for its temperate weather and natural beauties.
Tehran has experienced many problems in recent years. Excessive migration from other cities and provinces has led to increased housing prices followed by suburban living. 16.8 million people are living in the metropolitan area as of 2025. The massive population of this area and consequently high demand for energy have led to an energy crisis and massive blackouts, in particular electricity. To compensate for the energy imbalance, power plants have started burning Mazut in order to produce more electricity, which has led to extremely unhealthy air quality.
Tehran also faces a water shortage. According to Mohajerani, the water shortage will soon lead to a halt for urban development in Tehran. The imbalance in consumption and supplies has also dried centuries-old aqueducts and wells, which has plagued the city with land erosion problems.
The staggering 10 million population in the city area of Tehran and the concentration of almost all bureaucratic institutions in the city have resulted in an everlasting traffic problem. Major streets and highways experience gridlocks so often that it has become impossible to estimate a peak traffic hour during the day.
Tehran acts as an earthquake bomb. The city is located above some major faults; for example, the northern Tehran fault passes directly under the city and stretches from the easternmost to the westernmost end of the city, endangering some densely populated districts such as districts 1, 2, and 22. A research study conducted by the Seismological Research Institute has concluded that a catastrophic earthquake might hit Tehran in the next six years. It is estimated that a magnitude 7 earthquake or more will result in 1.4 million deaths and 4 million severe injuries. According to Rifat Latifi from the University of Arizona, most of the deaths will take place in the first two hours of the catastrophe. The Municipal Urban and Industrial Pest Control Committee of Tehran also stated years ago that most victims stuck under rubble will be “eaten alive by huge rats” before any rescue efforts can be made. Ali Darvish Zade, the founding father of seismology and geology in Iran, estimates that Tehran experiences a major earthquake every 150 years; however, there has been a 30-year seismic absence, and this silence in terms of earthquakes can lead to more amounts of energy being preserved, and as a result, the city can face an earthquake of a 7.5 magnitude or more.
An effort for decentralisation of wealth and power
Emphasising the need to develop the Chabahar and Makran coastal regions, Masoud Pezeshkian said that his government has started the development of the southern part of Iran, and this development is justice-oriented and based on eliminating discrimination. The president emphasised that Chabahar is the “pure gold” of Iran, which is currently not being used and is suffering from deprivation. On the other hand, this region is Iran’s communication route with the world and can play a role as Iran’s economic hub. Referring to the importance of Chabahar and Makran, he said, “These regions are vital areas of the country, and everything in them is gold, but what is the point if these capacities are not used?” He added that “we have resources in Iran that, if managed properly, will solve all our problems. If we are determined and join hands, Iran can become a country full of possibilities.” Emphasising greater attention to unseen regions, the President stated, “We have made the regions that have received less attention our first priority.” This is Masoud Pezeshkian’s second visit to Sistan and Baluchestan since the beginning of his presidency. He added, “I believe that solving problems will be done with the cooperation of the people, and if the people do not join hands, the government will not be able to do anything.”
Tehran is responsible for ¼ of the Gross Domestic Product of Iran. The concentration of financial institutions and wealth in Tehran has led to an inequitable wealth distribution in other parts of the country. The Makran region today is one of the poorest regions in the entire nation. Pezeshkian claimed that his administration is determined to put an end to this inequality and develop this region using its natural and economic potentials. According to Isna, a capital change will result in a balanced development as it shifts the power concentration from Tehran to other parts of the country.
During his trip he also visited the new city of Tis, which is rumoured to be in development to be an alternative for the capital. The city of Tis is going to be more than 4000 acres, and it’s going to house 150,000 people.
Mohajerani also stated that “the new capital is definitely going to be in Makran,” but he later denied his claim in another press conference by saying that development in that region doesn’t necessarily mean a capital shift.
Opponents to this plan state that Makran’s geographical location makes it an easy target for alien forces to capture in the event of an all-out war. Others claim that changing the capital will not fix Tehran’s problems and is going to be a waste of money and resources. Tabatabie, representative in the Parliament, claimed during the Miz-e eqtesad program that changing the capital will cost Iran anywhere from 400 to 500 billion dollars. Opponents claim that the new administration is trying to evade its responsibility to resolve the current capital’s problem. Alireza Zakani, mayor of Tehran, said to the journalists from Donya-e Eqtesad that “the current resources do not allow us to make efforts for changing the capital, and it will not be an efficient economic decision. The current resources should be spent on developing public transportation infrastructure in Tehran to solve air pollution and traffic.” Majod Shakeri said during an interview with Farhikhtegan newspaper that changing the political capital of Iran will not force the population to move out of Tehran.
Whether Iran is going to finally change its capital is unclear and stems from a 40-year-long dispute. What is known, however, is that the new presidential administration is determined to develop less-privileged areas of the country and maybe lay the foundations for the capital change in the coming administrations.
Written by Mohammad Amin
