TEHRAN -- The Expediency Council has approved a plan calling for the relocation of the Iranian capital to a new city by the end of the 20-Year Outlook Plan.

The decision to relocate the country’s political center to a proper place by the end of the Outlook Plan was approved by the Expediency Council on Saturday.
The 20-Year Outlook Plan (2005-2025), which defines a macro strategy for the country’s economic, social, and cultural development, was proposed by Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei.
Tehran is the largest city in the Middle East and is the 16th most populated city in the world. It is home to more than 12 million people. Most Iranian industries are headquartered in Tehran, including the manufacturing of automobiles, electrical equipment, textiles, sugar, cement, and chemical products.
Iranian seismologists have urged the government to move the capital out of Tehran. They say that it is very likely that the city, which lies on at least 100 known fault lines, will be hit by a devastating earthquake one day in the future.
In the 20th century, Tehran became very overcrowded after many people from all over the country migrated to the capital. This, inspired the idea to move the capital to a less populated location