WANA (Jan 27) – Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei emphasized the historical, cultural, and identity-based significance of the Persian Gulf, saying it is not merely a body of water connected to Iran’s territory but, like Mount Damavand, a lasting civilizational reality and an inseparable part of Iran’s identity, culture, and history, as well as that of the region.

 

Speaking Tuesday at the 6th International Persian Gulf Oceanography Conference in Bandar Abbas, Baghaei noted the continued holding of the conference even during the COVID-19 pandemic and said the Persian Gulf is equally dear and identity-shaping for all Iranians, from the southern coastal populations of Bandar Abbas, Qeshm, Kish, and Hormoz to people in Mazandaran, Gilan, Kurdistan, Lorestan, Isfahan, Mashhad, and Tabriz.

 

He said the name “Persian Gulf” in Iran’s history is intertwined with bravery, resilience, coexistence, interaction, and understanding, and has always served as Iran’s link to the world, to the extent that Iran would not be complete without it.

 

Baghaei underlined the Gulf’s vital economic and security importance for Iran and the entire region, adding that its distinguishing feature is its deep connection to Iran’s historical continuity and civilizational memory—an asset that is not only a reminder of the past but also a political and cultural capital for Iran’s regional and international engagement.

 

Describing the Persian Gulf as an identity-forming space, he said this identity is based not on fleeting emotions but on objective historical and cultural evidence, including ancient inscriptions, historical and contemporary maps, the rich culture of coastal communities, and centuries-old scientific and commercial exchanges.

 

On regional security and stability, Baghaei said a shared understanding of history and identity can foster trust and strengthen cooperation among littoral states, stressing that sustainable security requires mutual recognition and respect for the historical roles of all regional actors.

 

He also highlighted the need for sustainable development in the Persian Gulf, calling for development planning that simultaneously addresses economic and environmental dimensions and the preservation of cultural heritage, describing the Gulf as a unique asset for comprehensive regional development.

 

Criticizing environmental damage to the Persian Gulf, Baghaei said the area has suffered numerous wounds over past decades due to imposed wars and the destructive and polluting presence of extra-regional actors, adding that protecting biodiversity and the natural environment requires scientific approaches and collective responsibility at regional and international levels.

 

He stressed that the Persian Gulf today needs constructive cooperation among coastal states more than ever and avoidance of destructive interventions, noting that Iran, drawing on its historical and civilizational background, has consistently emphasised peace, cooperation, and regional dialogue.

 

In conclusion, Baghaei said, emphasising the historical and identity dimensions of the Persian Gulf does not ignore geopolitical realities but aims to strengthen the rational foundations for shared dialogue among coastal countries. He added that for Iran, the Persian Gulf is both a security and economic priority and an inseparable part of national identity, and that smart policymaking should create synergy between these dimensions.

 

The 6th International Persian Gulf Oceanography Conference is being held in Bandar Abbas with the participation of Rear Admiral Shahram Irani, Commander of the Iranian Army Navy; Farzaneh Sadegh, Minister of Roads and Urban Development; Esmail Baghaei, Foreign Ministry spokesperson; Sahar Tajbakhsh Mosalman, Head of the National Meteorological Organization; and a number of domestic and foreign professors, researchers, and experts.

Persian Gulf