Ahvaz (Persian: اهواز; [ʔæhˈvɒːz] ^ⓘ) is a city in the Central District of Ahvaz County, Khuzestan province, Iran, serving as capital of the province, the county, and the district.

Positioned near the border with Iraq, along the banks of the Karun River, Ahvaz serves as a key industrial and transportation hub, with a diverse population and a history shaped by its proximity to Iraq and the Persian Gulf.

Ahvaz is home to over 1.3 million people within its metropolitan area. Census results suggest a steady increase in population. It is home to Persians, Arabs and other groups such as Qashqai and Kurds. Languages spoken in the area include Persian, Khuzestāni Arabic, Southern Kurdish, Neo-Mandaic, and dialects such as Bakhtiari, Dezfuli and Shushtari.

The Karun, the largest river in Iran by volume, flows through the center of the city. It is one of two navigable rivers in Iran, alongside the Arvand Rud.

Ahvaz has earned the reputation of being the City of Bridges due to its numerous big bridges built on the Karun to facilitate better communication between the east and west parts of the city, although since the beginning of the 20th century, this city has always been known as the Oil Capital of Iran, along with other cities of Khuzestan province.

This city has a long history, dating back to the Achaemenid period. In ancient times, the city was one of the main centers of the Academy of Gondishapur.

The city known today as Ahvaz was first recognized as an urban settlement in ancient times under the name Taryana. This name clearly reflects “Dāryāna” derived from “Dāryān” the legendary name of Darius, and also refers to a powerful dynasty of Persian kings that ruled after the Achaemenid period.

Taryana was located along a section of the Royal Road that stretched from Persepolis to Sardis, with part of the royal route crossing the Karun River in Taryana (present-day Ahvaz). Later, during the reign of Ardashir I (Ardashir Babakan), Taryana expanded and was renamed “Hormazd-Ardeshir” (Persian: هُرمَزد اردشیر) in New 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”, but it is unclear if this change was made by Ardashir I in 230 (cf. Encyclopædia Iranica, al-Maqdisi, et al.) or by his grandson Hormizd I according to the Middle Persian Šahrestānīhā 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 of Susiana (modern-day Khuzestan).