Trump predicted to declare usage of "Arabian Gulf" during Saudi travel
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Donald Trump, the current U.S. President, is scheduled to announce during his upcoming Saudi Arabia visit that his administration will ditch the term "Persian Gulf" and instead go with "Arabian Gulf" in official government communications. According to confidential information shared by two American authorities, this decision aligns with the preferences of several Arab nations which have been advocating for a change in the name for quite some time.
However, Iran insists on the historical right to the name "Persian Gulf," citing centuries of documented use. Today, Associated Press reported this development, highlighting the friction it has caused. The move is expected to be a significant talking point during Trump's interactions with Gulf Arab leaders. The White House and the National Security Council have yet to provide comments on this matter.
Trump's decision echoes a gradual shift in terminology within certain sectors of the U.S. government, as evident by the US military's previous use of "Arabian Gulf" in some communications.
Iran, previously known as Persia, had previously lashed out at Google for not labeling the waterway appropriately on its maps. At present, Google Maps shows the name as "Persian Gulf (Arabian Gulf)," whereas Apple Maps simply labels it as the "Persian Gulf."
While Trump's decision can influence the language used by federal agencies, international bodies and other countries are not obliged to follow suit.
The naming dispute is a recurring matter, with deep-rooted historical significance. The term "Persian Gulf" garnered prominence in the 16th century, mirroring the historical link between the Persian Empire (modern-day Iran) and the region. Nevertheless, "Arabian Gulf" is widely used in many Middle Eastern countries, particularly in Arabic, while "Persian Gulf" continues to be more recognized internationally.
Trump's decision could have far-reaching diplomatic implications, as it may be perceived as siding with Arab nations, potentially straining already fragile U.S.-Iran relations. This move could strengthen U.S. ties with Arab allies, but it might also serve to polarize regional politics further, magnifying existing tensions between Iran and Arab states.
- The preferences of several Arab nations for a change in the name of the Gulf, as advocated for over time, are now aligned with the upcoming policy-and-legislation announcement by Donald Trump, who is scheduled to announce the use of "Arabian Gulf" in official government communications during his visit to Saudi Arabia.
- The shift in terminology within certain U.S. government sectors, as shown by the US military's previous use of "Arabian Gulf" in some communications, is echoed by Trump's decision.
- Iran's insistence on the historical right to the name "Persian Gulf," as evident through centuries of documented use, could potentially lead to sensitivity in the general-news coverage of the naming dispute, which has political implications.
- Although Trump's decision may influence the language used by federal agencies, international bodies and other countries are not obligated to follow this change, and the recurring naming dispute reflects the deep-rooted historical significance of both terms: "Persian Gulf," internationally recognized, and "Arabian Gulf," widely used in many Middle Eastern countries.
