In the face of contemporary environmental crises, the discourse of transformative environmental governance has emerged as an interdisciplinary and future-oriented approach. Adopting a qualitative–exploratory methodology, this study seeks to examine the experiences and understandings of key environmental governance actors in Tehran Province, with a particular focus on identifying pathways of transformation within this domain. Data were collected through 28 in-depth semi-structured interviews with stakeholders from governmental, private, civil, and academic sectors. The data were analyzed using discourse analysis and qualitative content analysis methods. The principal innovation of this study lies in the development and presentation of an integrated analytical-explanatory model of transformative environmental governance. By synthesizing insights from the schools of social-ecological resilience, socio-technical transitions, environmental justice, and new institutionalism, the model provides a context-sensitive and localized framework for understanding the complex dynamics of change within Iran's governance system. The findings—derived from the integration of theoretical foundations and empirical evidence—revealed six interwoven processes that act as core mechanisms driving transformation: (1) cross-sectoral and horizontal networking, (2) social learning and institutional reflexivity, (3) redefinition of environmental discourse, (4) social pressure and civic activism, (5) creative engagement with legal frameworks, and (6) strategic coalition-building. These processes unfold within a dynamic context influenced by various enabling and constraining factors, including institutional distrust, conflicts of interest, weak intersectoral coordination, cultural resistance, legal gaps, and the risk of superficial alignment. The proposed analytical model elucidates the iterative, feedback-driven, and non-linear nature of environmental governance, emphasizing the interaction among actors, knowledge systems, and institutional mechanisms. Consequently, transformative governance is conceptualized not as a linear or episodic process, but as a reflective and ongoing flow in which social capital, legal capacities, and the synergistic power of alliances are redistributed, thereby enhancing the resilience of reforms. The presented model offers an analytical tool for identifying leverage points, mapping intervention sequences, and anticipating barriers to sustainable governance, while providing a foundation for designing context-sensitive strategies aimed at institutionalizing environmental priorities.