In the statement
issued on Thursday, the president said the day commemorates the enduring link
between Iran’s national identity and the strategic waterway that has long
served as a hub for cultural and civilizational exchanges as well as regional
and global commerce and energy.
He added that the
importance of the region—especially the Strait of Hormuz—was again made clear
to the world during the Iran-Iraq war’s “Ramadan” period, when he said the
bravery of Iran’s naval forces demonstrated the area’s strategic role not only
in transporting energy, but also as a symbol of national sovereignty and Iran’s
undeniable role in regional and international security.
Pezeshkian said
adversaries, by shifting pressure toward economic and maritime arenas, have
pursued what he called a policy of “naval encirclement” and restrictions on
shipping routes as a means of applying pressure on Iran and its people. He
argued those efforts would fail, stressing that the Persian Gulf is not a space
for imposing unilateral foreign demands, but part of the framework of
international relations—security there, he said, is meaningful only through
collective cooperation and mutual respect for the sovereignty of littoral
states.
The president
warned that any attempt to impose maritime blockades or limitations would
violate international law and would threaten the interests of regional peoples
as well as global peace and stability.
He also
reiterated that the presence and interference of outsiders would not improve
regional security, calling it a factor for tension and a barrier to lasting
calm in the Persian Gulf. He referenced the Ramadan conflict, saying that the
establishment of U.S. military bases in host countries had not created security
but instead put those states at risk—asserting that it also allowed Iran to
target what he described as legitimate objectives in response to threats to
Iranian territory.
The message
stated that the Islamic Republic, as the guardian of security in the Persian
Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz, remains committed to freedom of navigation and
maritime safety in accordance with international principles, except for hostile
states. However, it said implementation of these principles must be accompanied
by respect for Iran’s nation and sovereignty, and that responsibility for any
insecurity in the waters of the region lies with the United States and the
Israeli regime, according to the statement.
Pezeshkian
concluded by calling National Persian Gulf Day an opportunity to reaffirm what
he termed a historical reality: that the waterway is inseparable from Iran’s
national identity and symbolizes the country’s resolve against old and new
forms of colonialism. He said he hopes the Persian Gulf remains secure, stable,
and prosperous—free from foreign presence—so its people can live in peace.