صراط عشق صراط عشق
The Persian Gulf National Day which the Islamic Republic marks every year on the 10th of the Iranian month of Ordibehesht (April 30) reminds Iranians and the world of the importance of this strategic waterway.
Iran has the largest coastline stretching across the entire northern shores of the Persian Gulf and hence from time immemorial the identity of this body of water, through which over 25 percent of the world’s current crude oil supplies pass, has been PERSIAN.
On the southern shores of the Persian Gulf are the coastlines of six Arab states – Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, the UAE, and Oman – while on its east is Iraq’s narrow access to international waters.
The Persian Gulf covers an area of 251,000 square km and is connected to the Gulf of Oman in the east by the Strait of Hormuz, while its western end is marked by the major river delta of the Arvand Roud (Shatt al-Arab), which carries the waters of the Euphrates and the Tigris.
The length of the Persian Gulf is 989 km. Its maximum depth is 90 meters and it contains a rich variety of marine life, including plants and fishes, the largest of which are the dolphins and the dugongs (sea cows), while occasionally sharks venture into the area.
The Persian Gulf and its littoral possess two-thirds of the world’s estimated oil reserves; hence the area is dominated by petrochemical and related industries.
In addition there are large gas fields in these waters, with Qatar and Iran sharing a giant field across the territorial median line (North Field in the Qatari sector; South Pars Field in the Iranian sector).
These factors have increased the importance of safeguarding the security of this vital arm of the Indian Ocean, as well as protection of its fragile ecology that risks being damaged by oil spills.
ROPME or the Regional Organization Regional Organization for Protection of the Marine Environment of the Persian Gulf is the only bloc that is made up of all the 8 Persian Gulf countries.
Unfortunately, due to the divisive policies of the West which since the colonial times has been interfering in the Persian Gulf, the unrepresentative and unelected regimes of the region, have allowed the Americans to establish foothold in the area.
Of late, certain regimes like the Aal-e Nahhan of Abu Dhabi and the repressive Aal-e Khalifa minority clan, have made the grave mistake of setting up diplomatic ties with the illegal Zionist entity, and thus providing access to the Persian Gulf waters for the Israeli usurpers of Palestine.
This is nothing but treason, and the Islamic Republic, as the paramount power of the region, has already served notice that any harm to the interests of Iran and the Iranian people, will result in a devastating response aimed at the heart of Israel.
The warning is thus loud and clear. Iran, as the principal supporter of the rights of the Palestinian people and the campaign for liberation of Islam’s former qibla, the al-Aqsa Mosque in the Zionist occupied Islamic city of Bayt al-Moqaddas, will certainly now allow the Israelis to spread their tentacles in the Persian Gulf.
It is still not too late for all the Persian Gulf countries to overcome their petty differences and work together for peace and security in the interests of Islam and the Muslims of the region.
