Tehran: Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has revived plans to relocate the nation's capital from Tehran to a new location near the southern borders along the Persian Gulf. Pezeshkian discussed this proposal during a visit to Khatam al-Anbiya headquarters, an engineering firm associated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. He emphasized that the challenges facing Tehran as the capital are unmanageable, especially in economic terms, and that relocating is necessary. According to Anadolu Agency, Tehran's population is projected to grow significantly in the coming decades, potentially making city management nearly impossible. Air pollution is a critical issue, with the Health Ministry reporting that it caused thousands of deaths annually, including 6,400 in Tehran alone. The city is also in a high-risk earthquake zone, with many buildings not meeting safety standards. Furthermore, Tehran faces significant water shortages due to climate change and mismanagement, with reservoirs nearly empty. The propos ed new capital would offer strategic advantages, particularly economically, as the Gulf region holds Iran's key oil and natural gas reserves. It also has a lower earthquake risk and a climate better suited for sustainable infrastructure. Despite the Iranian parliament approving the proposal in 2013, significant progress has not been made, and due to ongoing economic challenges, the relocation is not expected soon.