Persian Gulf National Day marks the anniversary of the expulsion of colonial and foreign forces from the strategic water body in 1622.

The 10th day of Ordibehesht – the second month on the Iranian calendar, which fell on April 30 this year – has been designated as the Persian Gulf National Day to commemorate not only the historical victory of the Iranian forces against the trespassers in the southern waters but also to remind all that the true name of the Persian Gulf will remain so forever.

The Persian Gulf is a strategic waterway with a variety of military and political situations as well as abundant treasuries, but at the same time it is considered as a territorial identity for us Iranians.

The Persian Gulf is of special importance not only in the Middle East and Asia, but also in the world and has been connected with Iranian civilization for several thousand years. That is why the waterway has always been of interest to political, military and economic powers, geologists, archeologists, historiographers and geographers as well.

The Persian Gulf is a semi-enclosed sea between Iran and the Arabian Peninsula that flows through the strait of Hormuz to the Sea of Oman and from there to the Indian Ocean. This water area is located in the south and southwest of Iran neighboring with Khuzestan, Bushehr and part of Hormozgan province. It shares borders with seven countries including United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar and Kuwait with different beach lengths.

Recent archaeological discoveries on both the northern and southern shores of the Persian Gulf prove that this area is one of the most important and perhaps the first centers of human habitation and the cradle and exchange center of many civilizations such as Elamite, Sumerian, Akkadian, Assyrian, Babylonian, Madi, Persian, Greek and Islamic.

The importance of the Persian Gulf is such that it is mentioned in inscriptions and historical texts discovered from the first civilizations formed in Mesopotamia to the central plateau of Iran; the importance of sea routes, which became the focus of the rulers of the time due to the insecurity of land routes, along with the important position of trade and commerce, doubled the role and importance of the Persian Gulf in the equations of the rulers of the time.

The southern and northern banks of the Persian Gulf have always been an integral part of Iran in different historical periods, and at various times when the central government’s political control over the banks and coasts of the Persian Gulf weakened, the strengthened indigenous governments on the southern shores of the Persian Gulf got closer to the northern coasts and took control of these areas.

The fake and distorted name that some have made for this important and strategic waterway has no historical roots, since it is just brought up with the support of global arrogance and Zionism referring to the time when the Englishmen have been presenting the sedition of the Arabian and Persian Gulf quoted from an English diplomat since the 19th century onward.

Experts say that all the claims made by the Arab countries about the Persian Gulf do not have any proof and evidence, and most of them try to create an identity for themselves through their wealth in a way that many Arab countries, such as the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia attribute prominent Iranian Muslim scholars and scientists to themselves.

These countries spend huge amounts of money trying to include the fake name of the Arabian Gulf in books and other historical sources through popular media, and in order to engrave this name in the minds of the audience they hold such events as the Arabian Gulf festivals, competitions and councils, although they are sure that the name is fake.

Due to the historical background of the name of the Persian Gulf, instead of conflict, it can be proved to the countries of the Persian Gulf through cultural activities, friendship and trade relations and displaying evidence and monuments of historical civilization that this important waterway has always been and will remain the Persian Gulf.

Today these countries show their enmity to us through a historical fact that can be specified who is right simply by travelling and cultural connections and scientific excursions.

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The occasion commemorates the exit of colonial and foreign forces from the strategic waterway.

Tenth of Ordibehesht month (April 30) in the Iranian calendar marks the anniversary of Shah Abbas I of Persia’s successful military campaign when the Portuguese navy was forced out of the Strait of Hormuz in the Capture of Ormuz (1622), Tehran Times reported.

In 1622, Safavid soldiers united to defeat the Portuguese, one of the supreme powers of the time. The Portuguese had invaded the Persian Gulf and occupied it for more than a century until then.

Accordingly, the 10th of Ordibehesht or April 30 has been called the National Day of Persian Gulf since then and is celebrated annually.

While there is strong evidence that the gulf originally belongs to Iran, it seems that the countries in the neighborhood have recently claimed the gulf for their own interest. If research is conducted carefully through the ancient inscriptions and early written works, it can be clearly investigated that Iran or Persia is the true owner of the gulf.

The Persian Gulf is of extreme importance to Iran from two respects; firstly, its bed is a great source of oil for Iran. Secondly, regarding the tourism industry, this gulf has a lot to offer to Iranian and non-Iranian tourists. The best time to consider visiting the Persian Gulf is from late December to mid-April when the humidity does not cause so much irritation. The Persian Gulf coastline has a lot of beauties and wonders.

Hormuz Island, for instance, has stunning red shores. Moreover, Mangrove Forest of Qeshm is a mysterious forest in the gulf with green plants disappearing and reappearing due to high and low tides. In addition, there are shiny silver planktons in some parts of the gulf shore that give perfect scenery to the shores of the region at night.

Apart from this, the marine species and corals in the gulf are amazingly diverse and interesting. Naughty dolphins, above all, are a great source of entertainment. Water sports and activities of all sorts are also available in different islands, cities, and ports.

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