Trump's Renaming Plan for the Persian Gulf: A Condemned Move by Iran
Trump renames Persian Gulf to "Arabian Gulf," sparking anger and protest from Iranian authorities.
The Persian Gulf, often called the Gulf of Mexico's counterpart, is now at the center of a heated dispute. Donald Trump, the U.S. President, has proposed renaming the inland sea to "Arabian Gulf" ahead of his Middle East journey. Iran, not amused, views this gesture as a deliberate insult and an intentionally heated provocation.
Foreign Minister Abbas Araghtschi voiced his discontent through a social media post, referring to the renaming ideas as "nothing more than a disinformation campaign by so-called 'eternal warriors,' aimed at enraging and inciting Iranians worldwide."
The name "Persian Gulf" has historical origins dating back to ancient Persian and Greek scholars, despite some Arab states advocating for "Arabian Gulf." However, this dispute carries political undertones that Tehran finds provocative.
Social media platforms have united Iranians, whether government supporters or exiled activists, in opposition to the US's potential renaming. Abdolrasool Divsallar, an expert, warned that such a move "will certainly have significant negative impacts on the nuclear negotiations and could even provoke unexpected reactions from Iran."
Trump has a history of geographically contentious renamings, such as changing the Gulf of Mexico to the "Gulf of America." News agency AP finds itself at odds with the White House for persistently using the old name, leading to the agency's exclusion from the US government's press pool.
United StatesIranNuclear ProgramMiddle EastTehran
The ensuing renaming controversy serves as a diplomatic flashpoint amid nuclear talks between Iran and the U.S., with Iran emphasizing that the renaming could jeopardize ongoing diplomatic efforts and provoke widespread protests by Iranian expatriates.
[Sources: ntv.de, raf/dpa]
- The renaming attempt is perceived as politically motivated, stoking Iranian opposition across various political lines.
- The announced U.S. policy shift on renaming the Persian Gulf aims to enhance ties with Arab Gulf states, disregarding long-established naming precedents dating back to the 16th century.
- Iran warns that the renaming could derail ongoing rapprochement efforts and trigger protests among Iranians worldwide, particularly amid the nuclear talks scheduled soon.
- Trump's planned visit to Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries is expected to see the official announcement of the U.S. name change to "Arabian Gulf."
Consequently, the dispute over the Persian Gulf's name serves as a complex intersection of nuclear diplomacy, with Iran emphasizing the potential dangers and implications of the renaming for international relations.
- The proposed renaming of the Persian Gulf to Arabian Gulf by the United States is viewed by Iran as a politically motivated move, stirring opposition among Iranians, regardless of their political affiliations.
- The employment policy of the United States, as demonstrated by this renaming attempt, seems to disregard the historical community policy established by ancient Persian and Greek scholars in favor of enhancing ties with Arab Gulf States.
- Iran emphasizes that the potential renaming could negatively impact ongoing nuclear negotiations and provoke widespread protests among Iranians worldwide, particularly during the scheduled talks.
- Trump's upcoming visit to Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries is anticipated to include the announcement of the U.S. officially changing the name to Arabian Gulf, in accordance with the country's employment policy on this matter.
