Ahvaz, city, capital of Khuzestan province. Ahvaz is situated on both banks of the Karun River where it crosses a low range of sandstone hills. The town has been identified with Achaemenid Tareiana, a river crossing on the royal road connecting Susa, Persepolis, and Pasargadae. Ardashīr I, the Sasanian king (224–241 ce) who rebuilt the town, named it Hormuzd Ardashir.
