Nournews: On the 30th of April in the Iranian calendar, it has long been designated as "National Persian Gulf Day"; a day to honor a historic name, recall part of the national memory, and emphasize the deep, lasting, and eternal connection between Iran and one of the most important bodies of water in the world. However, this year, on Persian Gulf Day, in one of the most critical regional conditions, the meaning of the day goes beyond previous years. Amid the ongoing war waged by the U.S. and Israel against Iran, this commemoration is not just a tribute to a name or the anniversary of a historic victory; it has become a symbol of national resilience, the frontline of the country's security, and the stage for demonstrating Iran's deterrence power.

Today, more than ever, the Persian Gulf is at the heart of regional and global developments, a point where the will of a nation resists invaders. Every threat to Iran is inevitably tied to this strategic waterway, and any calculation about the region's future without considering Iran’s role in the Persian Gulf would be incomplete. Today, all the powers involved in the recent crisis have realized that the Persian Gulf, as Iran’s highly strategic waterway, is a display of Iran’s defensive capabilities and response power, and what is currently on display is just the tip of the iceberg, with most of it still hidden and reserved. Therefore, this year’s Persian Gulf Day is not just another ordinary day on the calendar; it is an opportunity to revisit the role of the Persian Gulf and Iran’s naval power in safeguarding national security, economic development, and historical identity.

A Deep-rooted Name, Not a Political Term

The name "Persian Gulf" is not a product of the modern era or a result of recent political rivalries. This title has been recorded for thousands of years in credible global texts, maps, and documents. From Greek and Roman sources to the writings of ancient Islamic geographers and old European maps, this waterway has always been known as the "Persian Gulf" or "Sea of Persia." Even in many Arabic texts up until the Middle Ages, this name was widely used. The efforts in the 20th century, driven by nationalist and pan-Arab ideologies, to distort this name were more political than historical. For this reason, reputable international bodies, including the United Nations, continue to emphasize the historical name "Persian Gulf" in their official documents. For Iranians, the issue is not merely about defending a term; it is about defending historical truth, civilizational memory, and Iran’s contribution to the shaping of the region's history.

The choice of April 30th as National Persian Gulf Day is rooted in one of the most significant events in Iranian history: the day in 1622, when Iranian forces under the command of Imam Qoli Khan, the commander of Shah Abbas I’s army, along with the people of the southern region, liberated the island of Hormuz and the southern waters of Iran from over a century of Portuguese rule. The liberation of Hormuz was not just a military victory; it was a sign of Iran’s return to the southern waters and the defeat of colonialism in one of the world’s most sensitive regions. The selection of this day in the country’s official calendar since 2005 is a reminder that whenever Iran faces external threats, it has been able to defend its historical rights. This year, this reminder holds even more significance. Just as Iran stood against the Portuguese occupiers in the 17th century and triumphed, today it stands resilient against the pressures, threats, and hybrid warfare waged by its enemies, and it will emerge victorious.

Beyond History and Identity: A Geopolitical Cornerstone

The importance of the Persian Gulf is not merely historical or identity-based. This region is one of the most vital geopolitical points in the world. A large portion of the world’s oil and gas reserves is located around this waterway, and the Strait of Hormuz is one of the most important energy passages in the world. Any security change in this region immediately impacts energy prices, global markets, international trade, and the calculations of major powers. For this reason, the Persian Gulf has always been a battleground for power and a target for invaders, from the Portuguese and Dutch to the British and Americans. However, history has shown that while external powers have come and gone, Iran has remained as the natural and indigenous power of the region, displaying its sovereignty by safeguarding its national interests and territorial integrity.

From Geography to the Stronghold of Resistance

The distinctive feature of Persian Gulf Day this year is that this waterway is no longer just a historical subject but part of the ongoing struggle of wills. On one side is the national will of a people who, despite their political and ideological diversity, have turned the protection of the Persian Gulf into a national consensus, rejecting any form of aggression against it. On the other side are the invaders who, with naivety and recklessness, seek to turn this waterway into a foothold for invasion or influence in Iran. Thus, the Persian Gulf has become a symbolic point of resistance for the Iranian people. Iran’s enemies know well that any threat against Iran, without considering the strategic location of the Persian Gulf, will be an incomplete and costly calculation.

In recent years, Iran has developed extensive defensive capabilities in this region, from naval and missile power to reconnaissance and combat drones, defense systems, intelligence dominance, and the ability to control communication lines. These capabilities, which can serve as a showcase of Iran’s responsive power, have made the Persian Gulf not a vulnerable point for Iran, but one of the most important tools of the country’s deterrence power. In clearer terms, the Persian Gulf is now "Iran’s showcase of power"; a place where enemies realize that Iran’s defensive strength is not confined to its land borders but extends to its surrounding waters, particularly the Persian Gulf, where it possesses strategic depth and an uncontrollable power of response. The enemy's miscalculation was thinking that a "quick and clean operation" could neutralize Iran's response power, unaware that Iran's defensive strength, particularly in maritime warfare, with the leadership of creative and transformative figures like Martyr Admiral Ali Shamkhani, the architect of Iran’s strategic naval power, and Martyr Admiral Alireza Tangsiri, a commander who learned and implemented this strategy, has surpassed the enemy's calculations and reached unimaginable heights.

Beyond Hard Power

It would be a strategic error to reduce Iran’s role in the Persian Gulf to just military power. In addition to its defense capabilities, Iran also benefits from civilizational, human, and economic advantages in the region. The vast southern coastlines, major ports, a deeply rooted indigenous population, a history of maritime trade, access to regional markets, and the potential for developing a maritime economy all show that the Persian Gulf is not just a security issue for Iran; it is a national project for the future. The development of ports, strengthening transit corridors, expanding maritime industries, boosting marine tourism, protecting the environment of the Persian Gulf, and improving the welfare of the southern population all complement the same sovereignty seen in the military domain. True sustainable power emerges when security and development go hand in hand.

This year’s Persian Gulf Day should be seen as more than a symbolic ceremony. While in the past, the Persian Gulf was primarily known for its historical grandeur, today it should also be recognized for its decisive defensive power and its capacity for shaping the future. This waterway for Iran is both a stronghold of resistance and a highway for development; it is both a relic of the past and a symbol of unity today, as well as an investment for tomorrow. Perhaps the true meaning of Persian Gulf Day this year lies precisely in this: a timeless name, yet a matter of today; a historical geography, yet with a decisive role in Iran’s security and development.