So Long, Persian Gulf? Trump inches closer to renaming Middle East's body of water
Middle East region to undergo rebranding, as announced by Trump.
presidential announcement looms. Rumors suggest his big reveal may include a name change for the Gulf, a move that could ruffle some Iranian feathers.
According to a scoop by the Associated Press, Trump is planning to tenderly address the Persian Gulf as the Arabian Gulf or Gulf of Arabia, a delight for the Arab coastal states which have been vying for this label since the mid-20th century. This shift has historical roots, but it's the Arab states that have been predominantly using the name Arabian Gulf, leading to occasional diplomatic squabbles with Iran. If Trump follows through, it's a win for the Gulf states, but not for Iran.
The Persian Gulf, an age-old moniker, is internationally recognized and even recognized by the UN. However, in 2006, a group of UN experts concluded that countries can't be stopped from using other names. So, the Persian Gulf vs. Arabian Gulf debate has been a tussle that's remained in the game.
Politics and power games
Tehran, not one to back down, tossed out a barb at Trump's move. "Let's hope that the absurd rumors currently circulating about the PERSIAN Gulf are nothing more than a disinformation campaign by so-called 'eternal warriors' aimed at angering and destabilizing Iranians worldwide," wrote Iran's foreign minister, Abbas Araghtchi, on Twitter.
Trump'spointer towards Persian Gulf upheaval isn't his first rodeo in Gulf naming rights. Post his inauguration, he caused a stir by renaming the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America. The Associated Press, who dared to refrain from complying with the label change, was promptly frozen out of the White House.
A magnanimous announcement?
As the Gulf states brace for Trump's visit next week, anticipation simmers for Trump's grandiose announcement that he intends to share with the world. Word on the street is that it'll be "one of the most important announcements made on a particular topic in many years, a very important topic," trumpeted Trump in a meeting with the Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney. However, the details remain shrouded in mystery.
With the Persian Gulf name change being one of the contenders for the spotlight, it's unclear if other factors will take center stage. While a name change may not be the biggest headline grabber, it could be a significant symbolic gesture aimed at reassuring his Arab allies. After all, diplomacy's a delicate dance, and every move matters.
Sources:1. ntv.de2. mpe/dpa3. Associated Press4. New York Times
- Donald Trump
- USA
- Iran
- Saudi Arabia
- Gulf states
- The European Union, the United Nations, and various news outlets like Associated Press continue to refer to the body of water as the Persian Gulf, but the United States and some Arab coastal states have previously advocated for a change to the Arabian Gulf or Gulf of Arabia.
- In a potential diplomatic move, President Trump is likely to announce a name change for the Persian Gulf during his visit to the Gulf states next week, which could cause friction with Iran.
- Despite protests from Iran, such a name change is not prohibited according to a group of UN experts, who concluded in 2006 that countries can use alternative names for geographical features.
- The possible name change for the Persian Gulf is just one of several potential announcements that President Trump may make during his visit, with other factors also likely to take center stage in the general news and politics discussions.
