The Vice President of the Judiciary for International Affairs and the Secretary General of the High Council for Human Rights said: Distorting and falsifying the name of the Persian Gulf is a provocative act and a violation of the fundamental principles of human rights, the cultural rights of nations, and an attack on the right to historical identity of Iranians.
Naser Seraj, the Vice President of the Judiciary for International Affairs and the Secretary General of the High Council for Human Rights of the Islamic Republic of Iran, while condemning hostile and anti-Iranian efforts to distort the historical name of the Persian Gulf, stated: “The Persian Gulf is an inseparable part of Iranian history and one of the prominent elements of the common human heritage; a name that has its roots in the depths of human civilization and has been recognized for centuries in maps, official documents, and global diplomatic correspondence”.
Emphasizing that the desperate efforts to distort this ancient name are completely political, biased, and stem from the anti-Iranian intentions of some violent and anti-human rights individuals and circles whose hostility and enmity towards Iran are well-known, he added: “Any action in this regard is not only a clear violation of the historical and identity rights of the Iranian nation, but also a clear insult to the civilizational memory of humanity and the principle of respect for the heritage of nations in international law”.
Seraj clarified: “Iran has always accepted names such as the Sea of Oman, the Indian Ocean, the Arabian Sea, or the Red Sea, with respect for international custom, and has been aware that these names are not symbols of ownership, but rather a reflection of common human understanding and comprehension. In contrast, distorting the name of the Persian Gulf is a hostile and humiliating act that does nothing but provoke public opinion and hurt the national feelings of Iranians”.
The Vice President of the Judiciary for International Affairs continued: “For the Iranian nation, the Persian Gulf is not just a geographical name; it is the soul and historical memory of an ancient civilization. Therefore, Iranians of every ethnicity, religion, and political orientation have stood with a united voice and firm determination against this disrespect. In recent days, we have witnessed the proud outburst and nationwide protest of Iranians in all parts of the world; an enviable and proud protest and solidarity showing that the name of the Persian Gulf is not only a part of Iranian soil, but also a part of the soul of the Iranian nation. This unparalleled unity was a decisive response that puts any prejudiced person in a position of weakness and regret”.
Seraj also stated: “The historical name Persian Gulf, along with its geopolitical position, is a strategic asset, an indicator of the identity of the Iranian nation, and a key element in regional development. Those who seek to distort this name are not only alien to Iran's several thousand-year history, but are also deliberately trying to wage a soft language and identity war against Iran. These movements will lead to further exposure of the discredit of the institutions and circles that have played a role in this fake project”.
The Secretary General of the HCHR continued to remind: “Based on the principles and documents of international institutions, especially the United Nations, this region is known as the Persian Gulf. The deputy spokesperson of this organization also recently emphasized that the historical practice of the United Nations in this regard will remain unchanged. As a result, any deliberate distortion of this name not only lacks legal, geographical, and historical validity, but will also only increase Iranians' general hatred and distrust of the duplicitous and provocative policies of some governments”.
He concluded by emphasizing: “The HCHR of the Islamic Republic of Iran considers this provocative action, which stems from a colonialist and unilateralist perspective, to be a violation of the fundamental principles of human rights, the cultural rights of nations, and an attack on the right to historical identity of Iranians. It calls on all international, scientific, and cultural institutions and defenders of truth and freedom to adopt a clear, explicit, and committed stance against this unjust attempt to distort history and falsify geographical identity.