4,000 housing units damaged in Iran-Israel war
Tehran Municipality takes over rebuilding
Iran’s government confirmed on Tuesday that more than 4,000 housing units were damaged during the recent 12-day war.
Responsibility for rebuilding these homes has now been fully transferred to Tehran’s municipality, officials said, according to IRNA.
The move marks a major shift from earlier plans that involved direct compensation through public funds.
Majid Joudi, deputy head of the Housing Foundation’s reconstruction division, said about 3,500 units require repair, while 500 need complete reconstruction. All evaluation files and damage assessments gathered by 140 experts have been handed over to city authorities.
The change comes after the cabinet initially approved a compensation plan but reversed course in a follow-up session, assigning the municipality full control over reconstruction efforts in Tehran. This includes not only repairs and rebuilding but also emergency and temporary housing for affected residents.
The handover has created uncertainty among homeowners and officials. Mohammad Reza Rezaei-Kouchi, head of parliament’s Urban Development Commission, noted that while a reconstruction package has been approved in principle, it has yet to be formally communicated to the responsible bodies. “We need clarity on which agency will lead the rebuilding,” he said.
Tehran Mayor Alireza Zakani stated the city is prepared to handle the task and has begun planning for emergency shelters, including prefabricated concrete bunkers to be installed underground. He emphasized readiness to act swiftly if hostilities resume.
Zakani also addressed concerns about “density sales,” a practice of granting additional building permits to developers in exchange for fees, which some fear could reduce homeowners’ land shares.
He said the city is trying to balance reconstruction needs with protecting property owners’ rights, warning that “people should not be sidelined” in the rebuilding process.
The municipality plans a multi-tiered reconstruction approach: from city-led projects to owner-led repairs and complete rebuilds involving contractors.
Zakani called on the government to finalize approvals and fund releases without delay. “The city is ready. Now we need the paperwork to catch up,” he said.