Iran faces a growing water crisis that could force the relocation of its capital, Tehran. Consequently, President Masoud Pezeshkian warned Thursday that the country can no longer delay action. He emphasized that the water crisis, along with land and infrastructure pressures, makes moving Tehran an urgent obligation.
Speaking in Qazvin, Pezeshkian described Tehran’s situation as catastrophic. For example, he said parts of the city are sinking by up to 30 centimeters each year. “When we say the land subsides 30 centimeters each year, this means disaster,” he explained. Additionally, shrinking water supplies make the crisis worse.
The president stressed that mismanagement of resources, construction in critical upstream areas, and reductions in downstream water flows contribute to the danger. Moreover, he said these issues could cause irreversible damage if left unaddressed.
Pezeshkian also highlighted that protecting the environment requires immediate and coordinated action. “Protecting the environment is not a joke,” he said. Furthermore, he added, “Ignoring it means signing our own destruction.” Therefore, he urged government officials to work together to prevent further harm.
He admitted that the government lacks sufficient funds for relocating Tehran. However, he argued that the severity of the water crisis leaves no alternative. “When we said we must move Tehran, we did not even have enough budget. If we had, maybe it would have been done. The reality is that we no longer have a choice; it is an obligation,” Pezeshkian said.
Experts agree that Tehran’s challenges are worsening each year. In fact, the city’s sinking land and limited water resources threaten millions of residents. As a result, Pezeshkian called for urgent planning to relocate essential government functions to a safer location.
He warned that ignoring environmental issues will deepen the crisis. Consequently, government departments must coordinate strategies for water management, urban planning, and disaster prevention. Otherwise, Iran risks long-term ecological collapse.
Officials are exploring possible regions for a new administrative center, considering water availability and environmental sustainability. In addition, Pezeshkian underlined that delaying relocation could worsen both the humanitarian and ecological costs.
The water crisis now dominates discussions about Iran’s future urban planning. Therefore, authorities recognize that Tehran cannot remain viable under current conditions. Accordingly, Pezeshkian emphasized that immediate steps are necessary to protect the population and the nation’s infrastructure.
Finally, the president concluded by urging all stakeholders to prioritize environmental protection and sustainable development. He reiterated that the water crisis requires attention at every level of government to prevent irreversible consequences.