Tehran: President Masoud Pezeshkian has declared that the Persian Gulf is an inseparable part of the national identity of Iranians and serves as a symbol of the Iranian nation's resistance against both old and new colonialists.

According to Islamic Republic News Agency, Pezeshkian emphasized in a message on the occasion of Persian Gulf National Day that the significance of the Persian Gulf, particularly the Strait of Hormuz, has been highlighted once again on a global scale during the US-Israeli-imposed war. In his message, Pezeshkian underscored the bravery of the Iranian naval forces, which demonstrated that the strategic waterway is not only crucial for energy transit but also serves as a symbol of national sovereignty. He noted that Iran plays an undeniable role in ensuring the security of the region and the world.

Pezeshkian criticized the strategy of naval blockades and restrictions on Iran's maritime trade, describing these actions as violations of international law. He warned that any insecurity in the Persian Gulf would be the responsibility of the US and the Zionist regime. Pezeshkian reiterated that while Iran adheres to the principles of freedom of navigation, the sustainable security of the Persian Gulf depends on the collective cooperation of littoral states and the withdrawal of external powers from the region.

He further pointed out that the presence and interventions of external forces do not enhance regional security but instead create tension and disrupt the sustainable peace in the Persian Gulf.