Iran Considers Moving Its Capital from Tehran

Since 2010, Iran’s government has considered relocating the national capital away from Tehran. The reasons include severe air pollution, traffic congestion, overpopulation, and the high risk of earthquakes. Tehran has grown rapidly and now has over 13 million residents in its metropolitan area.

The issue returned to the spotlight in 2025, when President Ebrahim Raisi stated in October that a relocation is necessary due to worsening water shortages and Tehran’s overstretched infrastructure. His statement marked increased political pressure to act after years of stalled debate.

The proposal was formally endorsed by the Iranian parliament in 2010, and a council was established to explore alternatives. The plan could involve transferring governmental functions to another city, while Tehran would remain the country’s economic center. Similar arrangements exist in other countries, such as South Africa and the Netherlands.

Cities such as Isfahan, Qom, and Semnan have been mentioned as potential new capitals. So far, however, no concrete move has taken place, largely due to economic and administrative obstacles. Still, the crisis of 2025 may prove to be a turning point in the long-running discussion.