AP: Trump to announce controversial name change for Persian Gulf during Saudi visit

President Donald Trump is set to announce during his upcoming visit to Saudi Arabia that the U.S. will officially begin referring to the Persian Gulf as the Arabian Gulf or the Gulf of Arabia, two officials told the Associated Press.

This significant shift comes after years of lobbying by Arab nations who have advocated for the change, while Iran, with its deep historical connection to the name "Persian Gulf," has maintained its position on the term.

The Persian Gulf has been widely known by this name since the 16th century, although terms like "Arabian Gulf" and "Gulf of Arabia" have gained dominance in many Middle Eastern countries. In 2012, the Iranian government threatened legal action against Google after the tech giant opted not to label the water body at all on its maps. While Google Maps in the U.S. currently lists the body of water as "Persian Gulf (Arabian Gulf)," Apple Maps only lists it as the "Persian Gulf."

The U.S. military has already unilaterally adopted the term "Arabian Gulf" in official documents and images. However, the announcement of the U.S. government’s official stance will mark a significant change. Despite this, the shift will be largely symbolic as the U.S. government cannot impose this change on the rest of the world. Countries and organisations, including the International Hydrographic Organisation, which is responsible for officially naming bodies of water, continue to use the term "Persian Gulf" in their official records.

The decision follows a heated political debate when Trump first used "Arabian Gulf" during his first term, prompting sharp responses from Iranian officials. Iran’s President at the time, Hassan Rouhani, criticised Trump’s lack of geographical understanding, with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif mocking the president’s actions, stating that “everyone knew Trump’s friendship was for sale to the highest bidder, and now we know his geography is too.”

Trump's announcement aligns with his broader diplomatic goals in the Middle East. The trip, which also includes stops in Doha, Qatar, and Abu Dhabi, UAE, aims to strengthen ties with Gulf nations. Trump seeks financial investments for the U.S. and support in various regional conflicts, including mediating the Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza and countering Iran’s nuclear ambitions. His relationship with these countries has been bolstered by his business dealings with them, which he has retained during his presidency.

The name change also follows controversy earlier in the year when Trump suggested renaming the Gulf of Mexico to the "Gulf of America," leading to a legal dispute with the Associated Press. The AP sued the Trump administration after it barred the outlet from covering certain events over its refusal to comply with the executive order. The court ruled in favour of the AP, affirming that the First Amendment protects the right to free speech and the press.

While the U.S. can make this change for official purposes, it cannot dictate the global response. The renaming of the Persian Gulf is a deeply emotional issue, particularly for Iranians, who see the name as an essential symbol of their nation’s rich Persian heritage.

By Tamilla Hasanova