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U.S. intends to rename the Persian Gulf as the Arabian Gulf, according to sources

United States to change Persian Gulf name, with President Trump set to announce switching to Arabian Gulf or Gulf of Arabia next week.

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U.S. intends to rename the Persian Gulf as the Arabian Gulf, according to sources

Unveiling the Trump's New Gulf Name: Arabian Gulf or Gulf of Arabia

In a surprising shift, President Donald Trump is set to announce next week that the United States will refer to the Persian Gulf as the Arabian Gulf or the Gulf of Arabia[1]. Two U.S. officials broke the news, although the White House and National Security Council remained mum on the matter.

The Middle East accentuates this geographic name change, with Arab nations persistently advocating for this alteration for years[1]. On the other hand, Iran maintains its ties to the Persian Gulf, tracing its legacy to the Persian Empire[1]. The Gulf has been known as the Persian Gulf since the 16th century, but "Gulf of Arabia" and "Arabian Gulf" are more popular in many Middle Eastern countries, and the U.S. military has long unofficially used the term "Arabian Gulf" in their communications[1].

This naming issue has been an emotive topic for Iranians, as they view "Persian Gulf" as an integral aspect of their national identity[1]. A 2017 spat erupted during Trump's reign, when he referred to the waterway as the Arabian Gulf, leading then-Iranian President Hassan Rouhani to mock him by suggesting he needed to "study geography." Iran's Foreign Minister at the time, Mohammad Javad Zarif, also criticized the move[1].

Iran's current Foreign Minister weighed in on Wednesday, stating that names of Middle Eastern waterways do not convey ownership by any particular nation but instead symbolize a collective human heritage[1]. Abbas Araghchi, the current Foreign Minister, condemned this name-changing move and emphasized its potential backlash, noting that all Iranians would unite in opposition[1].

Trump's authority to change the official name is limited. Ultimately, the name of the Gulf will be what the world calls it, as the International Hydrographic Organization, to which the United States belongs, works to ensure global navigable waters bear consistent names[1]. Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates, among other Gulf countries, will also be visited by Trump during his trip, demonstrating U.S. aspirations for financial investment, support in regional conflicts, and strengthening alliances[1].

The Trump administration's efforts to rename geographical regions are not new. Previously, the U.S. Gulf of Mexico was proposed to become the Gulf of America. The Associated Press even sued the Trump administration earlier this year, after they were barred from events due to their refusal to comply with the executive order to rename the Gulf of Mexico[1].

In this contentious geopolitical landscape, the Trump-led name change may reinforce diplomatic bonds with regional Arab allies while potentially straining ties with Iran, fuelling criticism and hostility from Iranian officials[1].

Further reading: * The Pandemonium: Canada's Carney gets the Trump treatment in the Oval Office * The Downfall: Columbia lays off nearly 180 employees following Trump's funding withdrawal * The Scuffle: Trump desires to reopen Alcatraz. Californians express skepticism * The Judgment: Judge orders Trump administration to admit approximately 12,000 refugees * Follow the lead: Track Trump executive orders in WA, plus the legal challenges

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[1] Enrichment Data: The Trump administration intends to refer to the Persian Gulf as the "Arabian Gulf" or the "Gulf of Arabia," as a diplomatic gesture to Arab nations in the region, strengthening ties primarily with Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates. Iran strongly opposed this initiative, denouncing it as a politically-motivated affront to Iran's historical claims.

  1. The upcoming announcement by President Trump is that the United States will refer to the Persian Gulf as either the Arabian Gulf or the Gulf of Arabia, a shift that has been advocated by Middle Eastern countries for years.
  2. Iran, which has historical ties to the Persian Gulf, views this name change as an affront to its national identity, as it has been known as the Persian Gulf since the 16th century.
  3. The name change has sparked controversy, with Iran's Foreign Minister condemning the move and emphasizing that names of Middle Eastern waterways symbolize a collective human heritage.
  4. The Trump administration's authority to change the official name of the Gulf is limited, as the International Hydrographic Organization, to which the United States belongs, works to ensure global navigable waters bear consistent names.
  5. The Trump administration's intentions seem to be to strengthen ties primarily with Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates through this diplomatic gesture.
  6. Despite the controversy, this name change may reinforce diplomatic bonds with regional Arab allies while potentially straining ties with Iran, fueling criticism and hostility from Iranian officials.
Donald Trump, the American President, is set to declare a change in the U.S.'s designation for the Persian Gulf. He will announce next week that the Gulf will either be called the Arabian Gulf or the Gulf of Arabia instead.

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