Due to its underground location and robust structure, the metro has a high capacity to become a safe shelter in critical situations such as military attacks or natural disasters. However, the effective exploitation of this potential has faced several challenges, including difficulties in managing crowding, lack of health facilities, and safety restrictions. On the other hand, the metro, as one of the main pillars of the public transportation system in a metropolis like Tehran, plays a vital role in reducing traffic congestion and facilitating the movement of citizens. However, this same important function can become a threatening factor in times of crisis and with an unexpected increase in the number of individuals; because severe congestion in stations not only jeopardizes the safety of these spaces, but also significantly increases the likelihood of unfortunate accidents due to crowding. Focusing on the feasibility of using Tehran metro stations as emergency shelters with a crowd management approach, this research seeks to assess existing capacities and provide practical solutions to optimize metro performance in crisis situations. The main research questions include examining the structural and operational readiness of stations, identifying crowd management challenges, and providing solutions to improve safety and efficiency. The innovation of the research lies in combining passive defense analysis with intelligent crowd management and applying the DIM-ICE analytical method to assess crowding challenges. The findings of this study can help urban policymakers in planning to improve metro safety and reduce the risks of crowding in crisis situations.