The issue of changing Iran's capital is not a new topic. Around 20-25 years ago, the country's leadership occasionally brought it up, but it did not materialize. Even back then, there were discussions about Tabriz and Isfahan potentially becoming the capital.

Axar.az reports that this was stated by southern researcher-writer Mohammad Rahmanifar in a commentary on the information circulating about moving the capital from Tehran to Tabriz.

According to him, the possibility of Tabriz becoming the capital is still not ruled out:

“The inclination towards making Tabriz the capital is politically relevant. This city prominently features themes of Turkism and Azerbaijanism. If a decision is made regarding Tabriz, it will be a political one. The capital might be moved to Tabriz to closely monitor and control political processes. Historical precedents exist. The Italian diplomat Niccolò Machiavelli, who lived in the 15th-16th centuries, discussed the issue of changing the capital in his books. According to his views, capitals are moved to protect difficult-to-maintain territories. The Ottoman Empire is cited as an example. Evaluating the Iranian government's policies from this perspective, they might make Tabriz the capital. However, I consider it unlikely that the capital will be moved at all, and if it is, it won't be to Tabriz.”

According to Mohammad Rahmanifar, if there is a genuine intention to realize this idea, moving the capital to Isfahan seems more plausible:

“Considering that President Masoud Pezeshkian has mentioned the 'south', Isfahan is in that direction, so the president might be referring to this place. The Isfahan lobby is stronger. They might succeed in making Isfahan the capital. Some speculate that cities near the Basra Gulf are considered. Regardless of their intentions, moving the capital is not an easy matter and I believe it will not materialize. Like all promises, this one will be forgotten in a few years, and the capital will not be moved anywhere.”