Iran is exploring the idea of moving its capital from Tehran to the Makran region along the Gulf of Oman, as the country’s main city faces increasing issues such as traffic congestion, severe air pollution, water shortages, and land subsidence. The new government under President Masoud Pezeshkian is now seriously considering the relocation, which has been discussed several times since the 1979 Islamic Revolution but has always faced logistical and financial barriers.
Makran, located in Iran’s impoverished Sistan-Baluchistan province, offers a coastal alternative that President Pezeshkian describes as a potential “future economic hub.” The government hopes that moving the capital southward could alleviate Tehran’s mounting urban pressure while tapping into new economic opportunities from the region’s proximity to international shipping routes.
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However, the proposal faces considerable opposition, both from financial experts who estimate the move could cost up to $100 billion and from critics who argue that Tehran’s historical and cultural significance cannot be replaced. Environmental concerns about Makran’s vulnerability to climate change and natural disasters also complicate the plan.
Despite these challenges, the proposal is gaining attention as Iran looks for strategic ways to enhance its regional presence in the Persian Gulf. The debate continues as economic, environmental, and geopolitical factors weigh on the final decision.
