The Erin Molan Show Inside Iran’s Most Suppressed Arab Minority: “They Took Our Land, Oil, and Water”
Jan 13, 2026
In this engaging discussion, Shaffeq Sharhani, an Ahwazi Arab activist, reveals the ongoing repression and resource theft faced by his people in Iran's oil-rich Ahwaz region. He shares personal stories of cultural suppression and the hope for political readiness among Ahwazi groups as Iran's regime weakens. Alongside him, Kevin Cohen, a national security expert, tackles the complex challenges of lone-wolf terrorism and the risks stemming from unvetted immigration. Together, they explore the societal impacts and urgent need for effective security policies.
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Ahwaz's Century Of Occupation
- Shaffeq Sharhani describes Ahwaz as an oil-rich Arab region occupied by Iran since 1925 and systematically oppressed for a century.
- He recounts family killings, forced assimilation, land and water seizure, and threats against returnees.
Strategic Geography Fuels Resource Extraction
- Ahwaz sits opposite Gulf states and borders Iraq, giving it strategic value beyond oil with water and gas resources.
- Shaffeq argues Iran extracts wealth while local Arabs remain deprived despite a population of around eight million.
Prepare Political Structures Before Transition
- Shaffeq says Ahwazi political groups have organised for self-determination and contacted international leaders to prepare governance.
- He urges readiness to establish structures and work with Western countries for a civilized, self-determined future.