THIS Muslim country is planning to relocate its capital city, reason is...

Iran is exploring the possibility of relocating its capital from Tehran to the southern Makran region, according to several media reports. Tehran has been Iran’s capital for over 200 years, a decision made during the Qājār dynasty by Āghā Moḥammad Khān. However, government spokesperson Fatemeh Mohajerani recently announced that the country is considering shifting its capital to the Makran region, located in the Sistan and Baluchestan province near the Gulf of Oman.

The proposal is still in its “exploratory phase,” with two committees established to assess its feasibility. 

Tehran faces several challenges, including overpopulation, environmental issues, power shortages, and a water crisis. While the government is working to resolve these problems, it is also looking at redistributing resources across the country.

Makran offers strategic and economic advantages. Its location near the Gulf of Oman could transform it into a maritime and commercial hub. The region’s coastline and the ongoing development of the Chabahar Free Trade-Industrial Zone position Makran as a potential gateway for trade connecting Central Asia to the Indian Ocean.

This idea isn’t new. Previous Iranian leaders, including Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and Hassan Rouhani, also proposed relocating the capital to address Tehran’s challenges.

Critics argue that moving the capital could be extremely costly and logistically challenging, potentially harming Tehran’s economy.