President Donald Trump is said to have renamed the Persian Gulf to the Arabian Gulf ahead of his upcoming trip to the Middle East. This development was reported by the Associated Press, highlighting a recent clash within the Trump administration regarding a similar renaming of the Gulf of Mexico to the US Gulf.
Fox News Digital reached out to the White House for a reaction but received no immediate response. The AP quoted two U.S. officials who wished to remain anonymous while discussing the matter.
The Iranian foreign minister has expressed strong disapproval of the reported name change, stating that it represents a politically motivated attempt to alter the historically recognized name of the Persian Gulf, reflecting hostility towards Iran and its people.
The minister added that such biased actions humiliate all Iranians, irrespective of their backgrounds. He hoped that the rumors about the Persian Gulf were just disinformation propagated by, as he put it, “eternal warriors” angering Iranians globally.
He emphasized that the name “Persian Gulf” is entrenched in history, and Iran has never objected to the usage of terms like Oman, Indian Ocean, Arabian Sea, or Red Sea. They signify a shared respect for humanity’s collective heritage rather than ownership by any particular nation.
While he acknowledged Trump’s reported remarks, he pointed out that such actions have no legal or geographical impact. Rather, they only evoke anger from Iranians across the world, regardless of their views.
Trump is scheduled to visit Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates shortly, all located along these waters.
In the coming days, U.S. and Iranian officials are also expected to convene for a fourth round of nuclear negotiations in Oman. Vice President JD Vance announced that these talks intend to discuss a complete suspension of Tehran’s nuclear program.
Arab nations are pushing for a change in the geographical naming of the waters off Iran’s southern coast, a name tied to Iran’s historical significance during the Persian Empire. The term “Persian Gulf” has been widely recognized since the 16th century, although the names “Arabian Gulf” and “Arab Gulf” find favor in several Middle Eastern nations. Back in 2012, the Iranian government threatened legal action against Google for not labeling the waters explicitly on maps.
On Google Maps in the U.S., both “Persian Gulf” and “Arabian Gulf” are listed. Apple Maps, however, mentions only the Persian Gulf.
For years, the U.S. military has referred to the Persian Gulf as the Arabian Gulf in its official statements and materials. This name usage dates back to Trump’s first administration, during which he referred to it as the Arabian Gulf. At that time, then-Iranian president Hassan Rouhani suggested Trump should “study geography.” Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif remarked that Trump’s friendship was “for sale” and hinted at his geographical knowledge.
