Ahwaz Leader Dr. Aref Al Kaabi: The Regime In Tehran Has No Moral Authority

The Chief Executive Officer of the Ahwaz, Dr. Aref Al Kaabi,[1] gave an interview to the media outlet The Baghdad Tribune. In the interview, Dr. Aref Al Kaabi talked about the challenges in freeing Al-Ahwaz from the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Today, the Arab region of Al-Ahwaz is under the dictatorship of the Islamic Republic of Iran, which, like the previous Pahlavi regime, is repressing, marginalizing, and discriminating against non-Persian ethnic groups.

Contemporary Iran, like medieval Iran, is not a country but a heterogeneous, multinational, and multilingual empire. In Iran, Persians make up half of the country's population, while the other half comprises non-Persian ethnic groups (Kurds, Balochs, Azeris, Arabs, Turkmen, Lurs, and Caspian ethnic groups), which maintain a strong ethnic identity that distinguishes them from Persians.

The key to the fall of the ayatollah's regime in Iran, without having the American military on the ground, lies with the non-Persian ethnic groups that have been marginalized and violently repressed over the years.

In the past, the U.S. administrations feared that helping the non-Persians groups would result in splitting Iran into several Islamic states. However, this will not be the case. There is a golden opportunity that the West can seize. Secular non-Persian groups are ready to join the West and lead the fight without the U.S. sending its troops.

In particular, the Ahwazis, under the leadership of Dr. Aref Kaabi, are secular and would follow the tolerant path paved in the Gulf by the UAE, which embraces an Abrahamic alliance.

Chief Executive Officer of The Ahwaz Dr. Aref Al Kaabi

Below is the interview with Dr. Aref Al-Kaabi:[2]

Iran's "Systematic Efforts To Suppress And Weaken" The Ahwazi People

Q: "What are the challenges facing the Executive Body of the State of Ahwaz, and do you believe that regional and international conditions have become more favorable for achieving your demands?"

Dr. Aref Al-Kaabi: "The main challenge currently facing the Executive Body of the State of Ahwaz is gaining Arab and international recognition of the just struggle of the Arab Ahwazi people against the oppression, repression, and tyranny imposed on our people since 1925 [the Majlis declared Reza Pahlavi the shah of Iran on December 12, 1925] almost a hundred years. The Ahwazi people suffer from ethnic, religious, and cultural persecution, as well as discrimination and marginalization in employment within Ahwaz's institutions. This reflects the Iranian occupation's systematic efforts to suppress and weaken our people.

"The greatest challenge for the Executive Body of the State of Ahwaz is securing Arab and international recognition of the Ahwazi struggle. If the Ahwazi people's fight against the Iranian presence in Ahwaz is acknowledged, it will provide international support, protection, and legitimacy for their efforts to reclaim the rights that were taken away in 1925.

"Today, regional and international conditions are more favorable than ever for the Ahwazis to reclaim the rights seized in 1925. However, these conditions also require political and media support from the Arab world to strengthen the Executive Body of the State of Ahwaz. Such backing would enable us to continue leading the Ahwazi people's struggle during this critical period of regional unrest. This not only benefits the Ahwazi cause but also provides an opportunity for Arab nations to counter the Persian threat to Arab national security, particularly the security of the Gulf region."

(Source: Ahwazstat.org)

Ahwaz Executive Headquarters in Brussels. (Source: Ahwazstat.org)

"The Iranian Regime Has A Long History Of Labeling Those Who Resist Its Oppression As Terrorists"

Q: "How do you respond to Iran's accusations of 'terrorism' and claims that certain countries support you? What is your stance on armed struggle versus political solutions?"

Dr. Aref Al-Kaabi: "The clerical regime in Tehran has no moral authority to speak about honor or combating terrorism. Iran is a state founded on terrorism, killing, and destruction. We see the evidence of this in Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Yemen, and Ahwaz regions that have suffered devastation for over 100 years, from the Shah's regime to Khomeini's rule.

"Hence, a state that sponsors terrorism recognized as such by several countries cannot label the Executive Body of the State of Ahwaz as a terrorist organization unless Tehran has its own unique definition of terrorism in its 'Iranian dictionary.'

"We are a liberation movement based in Brussels, and the Ahwazi people have been struggling for 100 years to reclaim their rights. The true terrorist entity is the Iranian state, whose military wings, such as the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and its Quds Force, are officially designated as terrorist organizations on global lists. These are the groups responsible for killing and displacing millions of people – not the Executive Body of the State of Ahwaz, which is a liberation movement striving to restore the rights of the Arab Ahwazi people.

"Moreover, the Iranian regime has a long history of labeling those who resist its oppression as terrorists. It called the Syrian people 'terrorists' when they revolted against Bashar Al-Assad's regime and described the Lebanese people as 'terrorists' when they opposed Hezbollah's militias.

"The same tactic is used against the people of Iraq and Yemen. By labeling the Executive Body of the State of Ahwaz a terrorist group, Tehran seeks to justify the repression and killing of the Arab Ahwazi people, who have been struggling to regain their stolen rights and to end the Iranian occupation of Ahwazi lands since 1925.

"These accusations from Iran hold no weight because Arab and Western nations and governments around the world are well aware that Iran is the primary sponsor of terrorism in the region and beyond. Iran is the last country that should speak about combating terrorism.

"As for our stance on armed struggle, our movement is based on three pillars: international law, political advocacy, and media engagement. International law grants us the right to defend our land by all available means, and this principle is clearly recognized in international legal frameworks.

"So far, the Executive Body of the State of Ahwaz has not adopted a sustained armed struggle. However, if we choose to engage in armed resistance a right recognized under international law for occupied peoples to liberate their lands it is fully within our legal and moral rights. Nevertheless, current regional and international conditions do not permit us to take up arms. The only Arab geographical connection to Ahwaz is Iraq, which is unfortunately under significant Iranian influence. For now, we reserve our right to pursue armed struggle to expel the Iranian occupiers, but we have not made the decision to do so at this time."

"Many Arab Countries Are Victims Of Iranian Policies, Due To Tehran's Interference"

Q: "What is your plan to gain the support of Arab countries and the international community for the Ahwazi cause? Are there active diplomatic efforts currently underway?"

Dr. Aref Al-Kaabi: "We maintain ongoing communication with our Arab brothers in the Arab League and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) to keep them informed about the killings, displacement, destruction, and erasure of the Arab identity taking place in Ahwaz. Many Arab countries themselves are victims of Iranian policies due to Tehran's interference in the internal affairs of Arab nations, especially those in the region. We maintain consistent political coordination albeit to a modest extent with our Arab brothers regarding the future of Ahwaz and strategies for dealing with the Iranian regime.

"We also have very good communication with the European Union and the United States, and we are monitoring future developments closely. For now, the Executive Body of the State of Ahwaz remains actively engaged on both the Arab and international fronts to push forward the recognition of the Ahwazi people's legitimate struggle.

"While there is a 'reasonable' level of political support from both foreign allies and Arab brothers, it does not yet amount to formal recognition. We aspire for Arab countries to grant Ahwaz an observer status within the Arab League and the GCC, as well as to secure official representation in international organizations similar to our Executive Body's office in Brussels.

"We continue to engage with all relevant institutions to achieve official representation and further advance the Ahwazi cause."

"An Independent Ahwaz Would Safeguard Global Trade Interests In Key Waterways Such As The Strait of Hormuz"

Q: "How do you envision the future of Ahwaz if autonomy or independence is achieved? What is your vision for the political and economic system in the region?"

Dr. Aref Al-Kaabi: "Whether Ahwaz attains autonomy or full independence, it will serve as a safeguard for Arab national security in general and Gulf security in particular.

"Ahwaz is strategically located along the eastern shore of the Arabian Gulf and controls access to the vital Strait of Hormuz a major global trade route. The region holds approximately 85% of the oil and gas exported by Iran, along with fertile agricultural lands, abundant water resources, rich mineral deposits, and a deep historical and cultural heritage.

"If Ahwaz achieves independence, it will be of immense importance to Arab countries, especially Iraq and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states, in terms of security, economic cooperation, development, and regional stability.

"An independent Ahwaz would be a strong and prosperous state, playing a pivotal role in ensuring regional and international peace and security, as well as safeguarding global trade interests in key waterways such as the Strait of Hormuz. Ahwaz is part of the solution for regional challenges, making it a cornerstone for maintaining peace and stability.

"The political system of Ahwaz will ultimately be decided by the Ahwazi Arab people. However, I envision it aligning closely with the political frameworks of Iraq and the GCC countries, as Ahwaz is historically and geographically part of the Arabian Peninsula and Iraq."

An Independent Ahwaz "Would Mark The End Of A Painful Era Of Living Under The Shadow Of The Iranian State"

‏Q: "With the escalation of Iranian repression, how do arrests and assassinations affect your movement, and what are your strategies to protect activists inside and outside Ahwaz?"

Dr. Aref Al-Kaabi: "The repression, arrests, and brutalization of the Arab Ahwazi people as well as other oppressed groups like the Turks, Baloch, Azeris, and even dissident Persians are part of the Iranian regime's systematic policy of suppression. As repression and state terrorism intensify, we continuously adapt our strategies to protect our people and sustain the struggle.

"If we had international, legal, political, and media support, it would curb Iran's reckless behavior and halt the machinery of murder, oppression, and mass arrests against the Arab Ahwazi people. The extent to which Iran can be restrained depends on the level of Arab and international backing for the Ahwazi cause. The stronger this support, the less Iran will be able to continue its brutal policies against our people.

"Our people have been resisting and fighting for 100 years, and the Executive Body of the State of Ahwaz has made a final decision there will be no compromise with this regime. We are committed to continuing our struggle to protect our people's dignity and to preserve the Arab identity of Ahwaz.

"Our fight is not only for the Arab Ahwazi people or the establishment of an independent Ahwazi state. We are fighting for the Arab world, Arab identity, and Arab national security especially the security of the Gulf region. An independent Ahwaz would create a natural barrier between the Arab world and Persia, with the towering Zagros Mountains serving as a geographic buffer. This would mark the end of a painful era of living under the shadow of the Iranian state."