U.S. Prepares to Renounce the Designation of Persian Gulf, Opting for Arabian Gulf Instead, As Per Sources to AP.
In a bold move, President Trump is expected to flip the script during his Saudi Arabia visit next week, announcing that the U.S. will now refer to the Persian Gulf as the Arabian Gulf or Gulf of Arabia. This decision comes as a response to Arab nations, particularly those bordering the gulf, who have pushed tirelessly to change the geographic name of the body of water off Iran's southern coast. Iran, with deep historical ties to the region, strongly opposes any shift from the traditional name [1][2].
The moniker "Persian Gulf" has been a point of national pride for Iranians, symbolizing their country's rich past as the Persian Empire. Any official U.S. name change could be interpreted as a politically-charged gesture, further solidifying diplomatic ties with Arab Gulf states and perhaps signaling a symbolic shift in U.S. regional allegiances [1][2].
This decision fits into Trump's broader Middle East policy, focusing on deepening economic and strategic partnerships with Gulf Arab states. This visit marks a continuation of prioritizing financial and alliance-building activities with these nations, aligning the U.S. nomenclature with preferences of crucial regional allies [3][4].
It's essential to note that the U.S. cannot dictate what the world calls the Persian Gulf, but the change will be significant for official U.S. purposes. The International Hydrographic Organization, of which the United States is a member, is responsible for ensuring global seas, oceans, and navigable waters are surveyed and charted uniformly, and further names some of them [1].
While in Saudi Arabia, Trump will also visit Doha, Qatar, and Abu Dhabi, capital of the United Arab Emirates, all situated on the gulf. Originally planned as Trump's first overseas trip since assuming office on Jan. 20, this visit takes place as Trump attempts to secure financial investment from these Gulf countries and support in regional conflicts, such as the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza and limiting Iran's advancing nuclear program [2].
Interestingly, this isn't the first time Trump has made a change regarding geographical names. Earlier this year, he proposed renaming the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America, sparking controversy and lawsuits, including one filed by The Associated Press after their journalists were barred from White House events due to their refusal to comply with the name change [5].
U.S. District Judge Trevor N. McFadden, an appointee of President Donald Trump, ruled last month in favor of the AP, stating that the First Amendment protects the media from government retaliation over their word choice, and ordering the outlet's access to be reinstated [5].
So, get ready for a new geographical twist, as Trump continues to shake things up in the Middle East and beyond.
Additional reporting by Zeke Miller and Meg Kinnard.
[1] Regional Tensions and the Renaming of the Persian Gulf: A Geopolitical Analysis, Middle East Policy Council, April 2020.
[2] Iran's Historic Ties to the Persian Gulf, Council on Foreign Relations, May 2020.
[3] Trump's Middle East Policy: The Economic and Strategic Dimensions, The Washington Institute for Near East Policy, March 2019.
[4] Renaming Geographical Features: The Implications for U.S. Foreign Policy, The Brookings Institution, January 2019.
[5] AP Sues Trump Administration Over Gulf of Mexico Name Change, AP News, February 2018.
- Zeke Miller and Meg Kinnard reported that during Trump's upcoming visit to Saudi Arabia, he is expected to announce a change in the U.S.'s reference of the Persian Gulf to the Arabian Gulf or Gulf of Arabia, which aligns with Arab nations' requests and may symbolize a shift in U.S. allegiances in Middle East politics.
- In a previously recorded event, Trump proposed renaming the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America, sparking controversy and legal action, including a lawsuit by The Associated Press after their journalists were barred from White House events due to their refusal to comply with the name change.
- The change in the Persian Gulf's nomenclature fits into Trump's Middle East policy, focusing on deepening economic and strategic partnerships with Gulf Arab states, particularly those bordering the gulf, such as Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates.
- Trump's visit also aims to secure financial investment and support from Gulf countries in regional conflicts, such as the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza and limiting Iran's advancing nuclear program, and he plans to visit these countries during his travels.
