Donald Trump is expected to announce during his upcoming visit to Saudi Arabia that the United States will officially rename the Persian Gulf as the Arabian Gulf, or Gulf of Arabia. This decision aligns with long-standing requests from Arab nations, while Iran has consistently asserted its historical claim to the name Persian Gulf.
Sources within the U.S. government, speaking anonymously to The Associated Press, confirmed this development, although the White House has yet to comment publicly. During a recent Oval Office event, Trump stated that he would need to consider this name change while on his trip to the Middle East. He expressed concern about potentially offending anyone, noting that he would receive a briefing before making a final decision.
The name alteration is likely to face strong opposition from Iran, which has historically defended the Persian Gulf designation. Tensions over the name have resurfaced before, notably during Trump’s first term when he used the term Arabian Gulf, prompting Iranian President Hassan Rouhani to remark that Trump needed to “study geography.”
Iran’s Foreign Minister responded to Trump’s potential move by asserting that the names of Middle Eastern waterways should reflect a collective respect rather than ownership. He condemned politically motivated attempts to change the name as hostile actions against Iran. The name “Persian Gulf” has been in common use since the 16th century, while “Arabian Gulf” is often used in various Middle Eastern countries.
Despite Trump’s ability to change the name for U.S. purposes, he cannot dictate how it is referred to internationally. The International Hydrographic Organisation, which assists in naming waterways, ensures that terminology remains consistent across member countries.
The Persian Gulf is a significant area for geopolitics, and Trump’s travel itinerary includes visits to other Gulf nations like Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, as he seeks to strengthen financial and strategic ties with these countries. His administration has been focusing on garnering support from these nations for regional issues, including the Israel-Hamas conflict and curbing Iran’s nuclear ambitions.
Trump’s business interests in the region further complicate the situation, as he retains ownership of his ventures while serving as President. His administration previously faced backlash for limiting press access to events and endeavours to enforce an executive order renaming the Gulf of Mexico as “Gulf of America,” showing the contentious nature of geographical nomenclature under his leadership.
In summary, while the potential renaming of the Persian Gulf marks a shift in U.S. policy, it also reveals deep-seated cultural and political tensions in the Middle East that are likely to persist regardless of any official changes made by the Trump administration.