Worried about protests? Iran to move capitol from Tehran to the coast

The Iranian government announced yesterday (Tuesday) that it would be moving the country's capital from the city of Tehran to the southern coastal region of Makran, reportedly to get away from the current capital's issues with overpopulation, resource scarcity, and power outages, according to Iran International.

Iranian government spokesperson Fatemeh Mohajerani said that "We are seeking assistance from academics, elites and experts, including engineers, sociologists and economists," and that the effort is currently in its exploratory phase and is not urgent.

Multiple critics of the government, including from the relatively conservative side of the Iranian political aisle.

Conservative journalist Ali Gholhaki posted on X that "Rebuilding Azadi Stadium takes 18 months and costs 19 trillion rials ($23.75 million); how much time and money does relocating the capital require? Think over a century and hundreds of billions of dollars!"

Indeed, the Iranian government has reportedly looked into moving the capital from Tehran ever since the Revolution in 1979, but each time it was rejected due to "financial constraints, political inertia and logistical challenges."

The Iranian government is currently suffering from a multitude of economic crises which are compounding on one another. Despite having large hydrocarbon reserves, it is suffering severe fuel shortages leading to power outages in homes and the shutdown of businesses and factories.

Due to US sanctions and efficiency measures in Chinese refineries, Iran is increasingly unable to sell its oil to bypass the sanctions, leaving it with large amounts of oil it can't use while its deficits increase at home.

In addition, Iran is suffering from a collapse in its currency driven by inflation and uncertainty regarding the future policy of President-elect Donald Trump, a fiscal situation so bad it is leading to shortages of medicines and medical products.

Finally, the country is also suffering a 50% unemployment rate among those aged 25-50, all of which have led to sporadic strikes and protests throughout the country for better working conditions and pay.