Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has urged Supreme Leader Khamenei to relocate the capital from Tehran to the Persian Gulf coast due to water scarcity, soil subsidence, and environmental pressures. Experts highlight overpopulation and congestion as additional challenges, while the government has not yet announced a timeline or specific location for the move.
Iranian President Urges Relocation of Capital from Tehran to Persian Gulf Coast
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has formally informed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei about the urgent need to relocate the nation’s capital from Tehran to a site closer to the Persian Gulf. Speaking to The Caspian Post, citing TASS, Pezeshkian said, “We have no alternative anymore. If we continue as we are, the country will face significant difficulties.”
The president highlighted mounting environmental and structural issues in Tehran. He noted that water resources in the capital are steadily diminishing, while soil subsidence has reached critical levels in some districts, with measurements of up to 30 centimeters.
Pezeshkian first raised the issue on September 7 of last year, emphasizing that Tehran faces challenges that cannot be resolved through conventional measures. The proposal envisions relocating government offices and administrative functions to the Persian Gulf coast, aiming to alleviate environmental pressures and ensure sustainable urban development.
Experts have long warned that Tehran’s overpopulation, severe traffic congestion, and environmental degradation make it increasingly vulnerable. Some urban planners have supported moving parts of the capital to southern regions to reduce strain on water supplies and mitigate seismic risks.
The Iranian government has yet to announce a detailed timeline or specific locations for the relocation, but Pezeshkian stressed that immediate action is necessary to prevent worsening crises.