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Iran is once again considering a bold move—relocating its capital from Tehran to the Makran region on the Gulf of Oman. This proposal, which has been discussed intermittently since the 1979 revolution, has gained new traction under reformist President Masoud Pezeshkian, who took office in July. Tehran, which has long served as the political, economic, and cultural heart of the nation, is facing a multitude of challenges that make the idea of relocation seem increasingly plausible.
The city’s gridlocked traffic, ongoing water shortages, and high levels of air pollution are just some of the issues plaguing Tehran. In addition to these, the city is experiencing subsidence—an alarming phenomenon where the land is gradually sinking due to both natural processes and human activities. These challenges have made the current state of Tehran increasingly untenable, with experts warning of long-term consequences for the capital’s future.
The Makran Region: A Potential New Hub
In January 2024, government spokesperson Fatemeh Mohajerani confirmed that the Iranian authorities are actively studying the feasibility of relocating the capital to the Makran region, which stretches across Iran’s impoverished Sistan-Baluchistan province and parts of Hormozgan province. Known for its fishing villages and sandy beaches, Makran has been proposed as a potential new economic and political hub, offering access to the open waters of the Gulf of Oman. The region’s underdevelopment, however, presents both opportunities and challenges for such a massive undertaking.
Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has also voiced his support for the move, referring to Makran as a “lost paradise” with the potential to become an economic engine for Iran and the broader region. In a speech, he emphasized that the area’s development could play a pivotal role in transforming Iran’s southern coast into a bustling center of commerce. President Pezeshkian echoed this sentiment, stating in September that relocating the political and economic heart of the country to the south is an inevitable move in light of Tehran’s growing difficulties.
The Controversial Proposal: Skepticism and Opposition
While the idea of relocating the capital has gained some political backing, it has also reignited skepticism and opposition from various sectors of Iranian society. Tehran has been the capital since 1786, when Agha Mohammad Khan Qajar designated it as such. Over the centuries, it has become deeply ingrained in Iran’s political, administrative, and cultural identity. For many Iranians, moving the capital could risk severing ties with their history.
Lawmaker Ali Khazaei, speaking on behalf of some of the opposition, noted that any new capital must take into account the rich culture and history of Iran. Tehran, he pointed out, is not just a political center but a symbol of Iranian civilization, particularly as the heart of the Qajar dynasty and a beacon of modernity.
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Urban planning professor Ali Khaksar Rafsanjani also raised concerns about the strategic and emergency advantages that Tehran offers, particularly in times of war. Tehran’s location on a plateau, surrounded by the Alborz mountains, makes it a secure and safe city, in contrast to the Makran region, which is vulnerable to natural disasters like earthquakes and the geopolitical tensions of the Gulf of Oman. According to Rafsanjani, relocating to Makran would create significant security risks.
Financial Costs and Logistical Challenges
The financial cost of moving the capital is one of the biggest obstacles to the proposed relocation. According to various estimates, the relocation could cost upwards of $100 billion, a figure that raises concerns given Iran’s current economic difficulties, including the long-standing impact of international sanctions. Former Tehran mayor Pirouz Hanachi has argued that Tehran’s issues, while severe, could be resolved with focused investment in infrastructure and urban planning, rather than through the costly and disruptive process of relocating the capital.
The logistical challenges of moving an entire government infrastructure, public services, and millions of citizens are formidable. Reports have indicated that while Makran holds the potential to become an important commercial and economic hub, its current underdeveloped status would require immense investment to bring it up to par with the demands of being a national capital. These include the creation of reliable transportation networks, healthcare systems, and the housing necessary to support the influx of government employees and citizens.
Additionally, concerns have been raised about the environmental risks associated with moving to Makran. The region faces significant challenges related to climate change, including rising temperatures, declining rainfall, and limited water resources. As highlighted by ecologist Hossein Moradi, these fragile environmental conditions could severely limit the scope of large-scale development in the region, adding to the difficulty of transforming Makran into a suitable capital.
