What is the capital of Iran?

The capital of Iran is Tehran. The city is Iran’s largest urban center and the country’s main administrative, political, economic, cultural, and transportation hub.

Tehran became Iran’s capital in 1786 when Agha Mohammad Khan, founder of the Qajar dynasty, selected it as the seat of government. Its location near Iran’s Caucasian frontier was strategically important during conflicts with the Russian Empire. Before Tehran, Iran’s capital had moved among several historic cities, including Isfahan, Shiraz, and Tabriz.

The city lies at the southern foothills of the Alborz Mountains, giving it a broad elevation range and a distinctive relationship with the mountain landscape. Tehran is home to major institutions such as the Golestan Palace, the National Museum of Iran, and the former U.S. embassy commonly called the “Den of Espionage.” Tabriz, Mashhad, and Isfahan are historically significant Iranian cities, but Tehran is the national capital.