Positioned near the border withIraq, along the banks of theKarun River, Ahvaz serves as a key industrial and transportation hub, with a diverse population and a history shaped by its proximity toIraq and thePersian Gulf.[4]
TheKarun, the largest river in Iran by volume,[9] flows through the center of the city. It is one of two navigable rivers in Iran, alongside theArvand Rud.[10]
Ahvaz has earned the reputation of being the City of Bridges due to its numerous big bridges built on theKarun to facilitate better communication between the east and west parts of the city,[11] although since the beginning of the 20th century, this city has always been known as the Oil Capital ofIran, along with other cities ofKhuzestan province.[12]
The city known today as Ahvaz was first recognized as an urban settlement in ancient times under the nameTaryana.[13][14] This name clearly reflects “Dāryāna”[15] derived from “Dāryān” the legendary name ofDarius, and also refers to a powerful dynasty of Persian kings that ruled after the Achaemenid period.[16][17]
Taryana was located along a section of theRoyal Road that stretched fromPersepolis toSardis, with part of the royal route crossing theKarun River in Taryana (present-day Ahvaz). Later, during the reign ofArdashir I (Ardashir Babakan), Taryana expanded and was renamed “Hormazd-Ardeshir” (Persian:هُرمَزد اردشیر) inNew Persian, being reestablished on both sides of the river. The first part of the name honored "God," while the second part was named after the king himself. The name was later abbreviated to “Darawashir”,[15][17] but it is unclear if this change was made byArdashir I in 230 (cf.Encyclopædia Iranica,al-Maqdisi, et al.)[18] or by his grandsonHormizd I according to the Middle PersianŠahrestānīhā ī Ērānšahr. The king built a dam over the Karun River in the city, which increased its significance, and soon Darawashir became the capital of the province ofSusiana (modern-dayKhuzestan).[15][19]
The commercial center ofSusiana, located on one side of the river in Darawashir (Darāvāshīr, east of the city, spanning the area from present-dayKhorram Kushk to the present-day “Chaharrah Zand”), was known as "Hūǰestān-vāčār" (“the market of the Huzestan”). The other side of the river, serving as the administrative and aristocratic center (west of Ahvaz, covering the area of present-day Amaniyeh, Lashkar, and Lashkarābād), was called Horamshir.[15]
Uji orUzi recorded by Greek historians asOuxioi (Persian:اوکسی), and by Arab writers asHūzī was the name of a warrior tribe in the province ofSusiana. The name of today'sKhuzestan province is derived from their ethnonym through phonetic transformation and Persianization (Huzistan, “the land of the Huzi”). InSyriac Christian writings, the name of the city appears asBeth Huzaye.[23][22]
When the Muslims defeated theSasanian Empire in the 7th century CE, the second part of the city (Horamshir) was destroyed. The Arabs translated the name of the remaining part of the city (Hūǰestān-vāčār) asSūq al-Ahvāz.[20][15]
The name of “Ahvaz” is the Arabicized plural form of the word "Huzi", following theaf‘āl (Arabic:افعال) pattern. Thus, “Hūzīs” became “Ahvāz”. The Huzis, who were likely descendants of theElamites, were the indigenous inhabitants of theKhuzestan region. Their language, known as theHuzi language, remained in use in Khuzestan until theSasanian period and even for centuries after theMuslim conquest and subsequent rule inIran. Over time, due to varying pronunciations across different languages and dialects, the name of the province evolved from Hūzistān to Khuzestān.[15]
During theQajar period, underNaser al-Din Shah, the name of Ahvaz was changed toNāseri andNāseriyeh. However, in September 1935, by approval of the Council of Ministers, the city was once again officially named Ahvaz.[14]
In the 19th century, "Ahvaz was no more than a smallborough inhabited mainly bySabeans (1500 to 2000 inhabitants according to Ainsworth in 1835; 700 according to Curzon in 1890)."[24]
In the 1880s, in lateQajar Iran, theKarun was dredged and reopened to commerce. A newly built railway crossed the Karun at Ahvaz. The city again became a commercial crossroads, linking river and rail traffic. The construction of theSuez Canal further stimulated trade. A port city was built near the old village of Ahvaz and namedBandar-e-Naseri in honour ofNaser al-Din Shah Qajar.
Oil was found near Ahvaz in the early 20th century, and the city once again grew and prospered as a result of this newfound wealth. From 1897 to 1925, the city of Ahvaz was under the control of a Qajar prince, who served as governor, and Reza-Gholi Khan Sarhang, the commander of the Khuzestan army.Khaz'al al-Ka'bi was recognized byMozaffar ad-Din Shah Qajar as hereditary ruler of theEmirate of Muhammara,Sardar Asad Bakhtiari, as the most powerful leader of theBakhtiari people. He had power and authority over most regions of Khuzestan, such as Dezful, Shushtar, Izeh, even Ahvaz and Amir Mojahede Bakhtiari inRamhormoz and Behbahan. At this time, the newly founded Ahvaz was namedNâseri in honour of its founder Nasser ed-Din Shah Qajar. Afterwards, duringPahlavi Iran, it resumed its old name,Ahvaz. The government ofKhuzestan province was transferred there fromShushtar in 1926. TheTrans-Iranian Railway reached Ahvaz in 1929 and byWorld War II, Ahvaz had become the principal built-up area of the interior of Khūzestān. Professional segregation remained well marked between various groups in that period still feebly integrated:Persians, sub-groupings of Persians andArabs. Natives ofIsfahan Province held an important place in retail trade, as owners of cafes and hotels, and as craftsmen.[25]
During World War II, in July 1942, a camp for Polish refugees was established in Ahvaz (see alsoIran–Poland relations).[26] Some 4,000 Poles were housed there as of May 1943.[26]
Iraq attempted to annex Khuzestan and Ahvaz in 1980, resulting in theIran–Iraq War (1980–1988). Ahvaz was close to the front lines and suffered severely during the war. Iraq had hoped to exacerbate ethnic tensions and win over popular support for the invaders. Most accounts say that theArabs of Khuzestan resisted the Iraqis rather than welcome them as liberators. However, some Iranian Arabs claim that as a minority, they face discrimination from the central government; they agitate for the right to preserve their cultural and linguistic distinction and more provincial autonomy. SeePolitics of Khuzestan.
In 1989, the Foolad Ahvaz steel facility was built near the town. This company is best known for its company-sponsoredfootball club,Foolad F.C., which was the champion ofIran's Premier Football League in 2005.
In 2005, the city witnessed aAhvaz Bombings. Many government sources relate these events to developments in Iraq, accusing foreign governments of organizing and funding Arab separatist groups. TheArab Struggle Movement for the Liberation of Ahvaz claimed credit for several of the bombings, including four bombs on 12 June 2005, that killed 8 people.[27] Gunmen killed at least 29 people at theAhvaz military parade attack on 22 September 2018.[28]
On10 January, protests and demonstrations were held in Ahvaz. According to reports, some streets were blocked during the protests, and following clashes between protesters and security forces, the Ahvaz governorate building caught fire.[29]
On16 January, scattered protests and clashes were reported in various neighborhoods and areas of the city. On Wednesday,17 January, a group of shopkeepers and citizens held a protest gathering in the Grand Bazaar of Ahvaz, after which a number of shops were closed.[29]
On18 January, a protest gathering took place in the Naderi area and was dispersed by security forces using tear gas. Clashes were also reported on Friday,19 January, in the Golestan area. According to reports, security forces opened fire in order to prevent protesters from approaching certain government buildings.[29]
In addition, reports indicated that plainclothes forces confronted protest gatherings in the "Zeitoun Karmandi" and central bazaar areas, leading to the arrest of several protesters. During these events, law enforcement forces reportedly retreated to the "Boostan" intersection in the "Kuy-e Saadi" neighborhood. The use of drones by security forces to monitor and control protests was also reported.[29]
On21 and22 January, protests and clashes continued in parts of the city, and several protesters were arrested. On Monday night, nighttime protests accompanied by clashes were reported onNaderi Street, 24-Metri Street, and in the "Abdolhamid Bazaar", where security forces blocked several roads using concrete barriers.[29]
On23 January, nighttime protests in the "Golestan", "Saadi", and "Goldasteh" neighborhoods were met with security force intervention. According to reports, live ammunition and pellet guns were used during the clashes, resulting in the deaths and injuries of a number of protesters.[29]
During the2025–2026 Iranian protests, on 2 January 2026, Iraqi militias affiliated with the Iranian government had recruited forces to assist Iranian security forces insuppressing protests in Iran.[30] According to the report, the troops were assembled at a base in Ahvaz before being deployed to various regions to support protest suppression efforts.[30]
The Black Bridge, also known as the Victory Bridge, was the first modern bridge over the Karun River. The bridge was built duringWorld War II and used to supply theAllies in theSoviet Union and had a major impact on Allied victory.[41]
White Bridge is anarch bridge completed on 21 September 1936 and inaugurated on 6 November 1936. The bridge remains a symbol of the city still today. The White Bridge has two suspension spans with lengths of 136 and 130 meters and three arched spans with a length of 49 meters, which makes the total length of the bridge 501 meters. The bridge was built by the Swedish companySkanska.
is the eighth intra-urban bridge in Ahvaz.[42] It is the largest cable bridge in theMiddle East.[43]Construction started in February 2006 and ended in March 2012.[44] The bridge connects the Amaniyeh area and Takht-e Soleyman street, which are located west of theKarun river, with Zand street, which is located east of this river.[45]
The other 6 bridges are third bridge, Naderi bridge, Fifth bridge, Sixth bridge, Seventh bridge (also namedDialogue among civilizations bridge), Cable bridge, and Ninth bridge.
Ahvaz, being the largest city in the province, consists of two distinctive districts: the newer part of Ahvaz which is the administrative and industrial center, which is built on the right bank of theKarun river while residential areas are found in the old section of the city, on the left bank.
Ahvaz has asubtropicalhot desert climate (Köppen climate classification:BWh) with long, extremely hot summers and cool, short winters. Summer temperatures are regularly at least 45 °C (113 °F), sometimes exceeding 50 °C (122 °F),[46] with many sandstorms and duststorms common during the summer period. However, in winters, the minimum temperature can fall to around 5 °C (41 °F). Winters in Ahvaz have no snow. The average annual rainfall is around 230 mm. On 29 June 2017 the temperature reached 53.7 °C (128.7 °F).[47] Furthermore, the dew point peaked at 23 °C (73 °F) which is unusually humid for the usual dry heat. Despite the fact that it has only snowed in January 1964 in Ahvaz, frost has been recorded in every winter month, as well as in early spring and late autumn, and it has fallen down to −7.0 °C (19.4 °F) before.
Dust storms in Ahvaz – present-day Mehrshahr – 2012
Climate data for Ahvaz (1991-2020, extremes 1951-2025)
Image of aflare stack in Ahvaz, due to inefficient combustion, emits tons of black coloredsoot into the atmosphere, causing problems like climate change and cancer around the country.[61]
In 2011, theWorld Health Organization ranked Ahvaz as the world's most air-polluted city.[62] The reason Ahvaz is so polluted is because of its oil industry. Thepollution can be very dangerous, causing different types of diseases, and can be harmful to plants.[63]
Ahvaz International Airport --of "Martyr Major-General HajQasem-Soleimani"[64]
Ahvaz International Airport (IATA: AWZ,ICAO: OIAW) (Persian: فرودگاه بینالمللی اهواز) is an airport serving the city of Ahvaz,Iran. In 2016, 23,731 aircraft took off and landed at this airport, and 20,586,215 kg of cargo and 2,671,622 passengers were moved through it.
Ahvaz is accessible via freeways fromIsfahan andShiraz, and roadways toTehran.
A metro urban railway system is being built by the Ahvaz urban railway. The system is planned to have a total of four lines. Line 1 will be a 23 km underground line with 24 stations.[65]
Traditionally, Khuzestan province has been a major soccer hub in Iran. The city has two existing sport complexes:Takhti Stadium and the newly constructedGhadir Stadium. There are several other smaller complexes for martial arts, swimming pools and gymnasiums. Also, a new privately ownedstadium is currently under construction byFoolad F.C. in Ahvaz.
The city has significant sports facilities, including three major stadiums:
Foolad have won the league on two occasions, the 2013–2014 season and the 2004–2005 season. Esteghlal Ahvaz finished runners–up in the league in the 2006–2007 season. In 2016,Esteghlal Khuzestan won the league for the first time.
Current Ahvaz is in a very privileged position in the country due to the presence of large and prestigious universities in terms of higher education. On Sunday, October 1955 Gandishaport University was founded, which was renamed to Jandishapur shortly after, and was known by the same name until the beginning of the Islamic Revolution. Ahvaz is also known for its universities as well as its role in commerce and industry. Ahvaz institutes of higher learning include:
Sahel CinemaCommercial Building in Kianpars street.
Masbuta (baptism) ceremony of the Mandaeans on the occasion of the Mandaean New Year, 2018
View of the Faculty of Humanities and Literature of Ahvaz (Three-Corner University)
Before the White Bridge – 2009
National heritage site: Imam Hospital
National heritage: Imam Hospital
Seventh Bridge on a foggy day
Naderi Street – 2018
I.M.S. wagons imported from England, named “Churchill’s Reply”, moving from the maneuver grounds in Ahvaz toward the north, carrying supplies for Russia – 1942
^Babaei, Mahnaz; Daryaee, Touraj (2021).دیدگاههای سهگانهی ساسانیان نسبت به جهان [The Threefold Worldview of the Sasanians] (in Persian). pp. 124–125.
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