Because of the increasing environmental and infrastructure problems in Tehran, the capital of Iran is being considered for relocation to Makran. There are logistical and economic challenges to the change, which seeks to alleviate pressure on Tehran while simultaneously promoting regional growth and improving commerce via the Gulf of Oman.
It appears that Iran is contemplating relocating its capital from Tehran to Makran, a region in the south of the country. What is truly driving this decision, and why has it sparked so much controversy?
is Iran aiming to implement such a radical shift?
For almost 200 years, Tehran has served as Iran’s capital. Āghā Moḥammad Khān, the inaugural king of Iran’s Qājār dynasty, proclaimed the city as the capital. In the time after, the city grew into a major economic, cultural, and political hub. But the Iranian government is now contemplating relocating the capital due to a number of problems Tehran is now facing.
Iran is contemplating relocating its capital, but why?
Shifting the capital of Iran is being considered for a number of very good reasons. The environmental, logistical, and economic challenges facing Tehran have made the city too difficult to manage.
That Tehran’s environmental issues have been becoming worse over the years is a major factor in this change. Overcrowding, water shortages, and air pollution are only a few of the major issues that the city’s expanding population has brought about. Power outages and subpar infrastructure are the most common complaints from Tehran residents. It has been incredibly taxing on the city’s infrastructure and way of life.
The Justification of Regional Development
The Iranian government is seeking to more uniformly distribute resources as it attempts to solve its problems. An potential to boost economic growth and alleviate some of Tehran’s challenges has been perceived in the shift of attention to the southern area of Iran, especially Makran. Among the southern region’s strategic benefits is its closeness to the Gulf of Oman, which has the potential to make Makran a major trading and marine center.
Makran’s strategic position is its greatest asset. This area is ideal for development into a global commerce route between Central Asia and the Indian Ocean due to its more than 1,000 kilometers of coastline. Construction on the Chabahar Free Trade-Industrial Zone began in 2003, and Iran views Makran as the best place to build its economy, which would be good for the country overall.
Among the current administration’s top priorities, according to Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref, is the development of the Makran area. Relocating Iran’s political and economic hub to the south, in his view, would benefit the country and make it more competitive internationally while also relieving pressure on Tehran.
The Makran area has a long and illustrious history that begins with the Achaemenid Empire. It would be a great place for Iran’s capital because of its strategic position and its closeness to the sea. The administration has acknowledged that moving the capital might be a solution to the physical and economic inefficiencies caused by the disparity between Tehran’s resources and expenditures.
What Difficulties May Occur?
Some people are in favor of the capital-move plan, while others are against it. For instance, due to the high price tag, some may think the plan isn’t practical from a financial standpoint. In addition to the cost of such a massive effort, a large portion of Tehran’s economy may suffer as a result of its implementation.
As an example, some critics bring to the 18-month and multi-million dollar process of renovating Azadi Stadium. Relocating the whole capital would require a significant amount of time and money, which conservative columnist Ali Gholhaki questioned as being practicable and possibly leading to decades of financial instability.
