The Islamic Republic of Iran has designated April 30 (or 29) as the 'National Day of the Persian Gulf' since the date coincides with the anniversary of Shah Abbas' successful military campaign against the Portuguese navy in the Persian Gulf in 1622 AD. The Persian Gulf is 241,000 square kilometers, It is connected to the Gulf of Oman in the east by the Strait of Hormuz. Moreover, Iran has ruled over this international waterway for more than 2500 years. 224