Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has warned that Tehran may eventually need to be relocated because of extreme overcrowding and worsening water shortages. The capital recorded its lowest rainfall in 100 years, raising concerns about the city’s long-term sustainability. He said rising population numbers and continuous construction could push the region beyond its limits.
Pezeshkian has previously expressed concerns about relocating the capital due to major problems such as traffic congestion, air pollution, and poor resource management. He noted that infrastructure development alone cannot fix Tehran’s growing water crisis. Authorities have already started reducing water supplies to the city’s 10 million residents in an effort to cut consumption.
The government recently began cloud-seeding efforts to increase rainfall, but the mountain areas around Tehran remain unusually dry. Local media and critics have rejected the idea of moving the capital, calling it unrealistic. Officials later clarified that the president’s comments were a warning about future risks rather than a formal relocation plan.
One option under discussion is shifting the capital to the Makran region along Iran’s southern coast. The area is largely undeveloped and has enough room for expansion. However, planning is still in very early stages, and no timeline has been announced.
Experts say relocating the capital could help reduce overcrowding in Tehran and improve resource management. Still, the plan faces major challenges, including high costs, political resistance, and potential public opposition. President Pezeshkian stressed that immediate action is needed to avoid more severe crises in the future.