The Persian Gulf Day, which serves as one of the important symbols of national identity, has been commemorated in Iran with a series of events around the country, Press TV reports.

Iran has designated April 30 as the National Persian Gulf Day to highlight the fact that the waterway has been referred to by historians and ancient texts as “Persian” since the Achaemenid Empire was established in what is now modern-day Iran.

A range of events from human chains around the body of water to paintings and art works were put on display to celebrate the day.

The National Persian Gulf Day marks the anniversary of the expulsion of Portuguese military forces from the Strait of Hormuz in 1622, during the reign of Safavid king, Shah Abbas I (1588-1629).

Iran’s Majlis Speaker Ali Larijani, who had gone to Hormozgan Province on the occasion of the day, said the strategic Persian Gulf should be a basis for further regional cooperation.

The Persian Gulf is a blessing for the region and everyone should be aware of its importance as it should be a basis for regional cooperation, said Larijani.

While historical documents show that the waterway has always been referred to as the Persian Gulf, certain Arab states have mounted efforts to remove ‘Persian’ from the name of the waterway.

PRESS TV