The Iranian Government is planning a vast operation to decentralize its ministries and national agencies. 220 000 civil servants will be expected to move from the capital towards the outlying provinces and could benefit from relocation grants corresponding to 25-50% of their salary. A total of 5 million people will be affected by the move.

Officially, this gigantic enterprise aims to optimize the sharing out of public employment and the distribution of responsibilities in the country as well as to limit the consequences of an earthquake. Unofficially, it is a measure to forestall the paralysis of the country in case of a bomb attack against Tehran by Israel or the United States and to dilute the vulnerability of the country.