Iran must move its capital from Tehran, says president as water crisis worsens
a day ago
- #Iran
- #Water Crisis
- #Capital Relocation
- Iran's president proposes moving the capital from Tehran due to over-expansion, water shortages, and subsidence threats.
- Masoud Pezeshkian discussed the proposal with Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, citing deep resource crises as the reason.
- Hormozgan province is suggested as a new capital location due to its access to the Persian Gulf and trade opportunities.
- Tehran, with over 10 million people, consumes nearly a quarter of Iran's water supply, exacerbating the crisis.
- Previous presidents, including Hassan Rouhani, have also considered relocating the capital.
- Iran's rainfall has decreased by 50-60%, with estimates predicting further declines to below 100mm by 2025.
- Water shortages are severe, with dams providing only 70% of Tehran's water, and groundwater under increasing pressure.
- Land subsidence in some areas reaches 30cm per year, indicating critical depletion of underground water resources.
- Transporting water to Tehran is costly, with estimates reaching €4 per cubic meter.