US to call Persian Gulf ‘Arabian Gulf’: US officials ahead of Trump’s Saudi visit | World News

President Donald Trump plans to announce during an upcoming visit to Saudi Arabia that the United States will now refer to the Persian Gulf as the “Arabian Gulf” or the “Gulf of Arabia,” according to two US officials who were quoted AP.The move aligns with the preference of Arab nations and comes amid broader shifts in US foreign and domestic policy.
The Persian Gulf has horically been known that name since the 16th century, though many Middle Eastern countries refer to it as the “Arabian Gulf.” Iran, formerly Persia, has pushed back against changes to the name, even threatening to sue Google in 2012 over its decision not to label the water body at all. While the US military has already used “Arabian Gulf” in official communications, this would mark the first formal political shift in terminology.
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The name ‘Persian Gulf’ has been used widely since the 1500s. However, some Middle Eastern countries use ‘Arabian Gulf’ more often in their maps and documents. Iran which used to be called Persia once threatened to sue Google in 2012 for not showing the name at all on its online maps.

Iran has strongly opposed any move to change the name. In 2017, during Trump’s first term, he used the term “Arabian Gulf,” which led to a public response from then-President Hassan Rouhani, who said Trump “needed to study geography,” according to AP.
At that time, Iran’s foreign miner Mohammad Javad Zarif wrote online, “Everyone knew Trump’s friendship was for sale to the highest bidder. We now know that his geography is, too.”
This week, Iran’s current foreign miner Abbas Araghchi also responded. In a post on social media, he said: “Politically motivated attempts to alter the horically established name of the Persian Gulf are indicative of hostile intent toward Iran and its people, and are firmly condemned.”Story continues below this ad
He added: “Any short-sighted step in this connection will have no validity or legal or geographical effect. It will only bring the wrath of all Iranians from all walks of life.”

Trump can change the name used the US government, but he cannot decide how the rest of the world names it, AP said. The International Hydrographic Organisation, which includes the US, helps standardise names for seas and oceans. But in some cases, countries use different names in their own maps and documents.
Trump is also expected to visit Qatar and the United Arab Emirates during his trip. These countries also border the Gulf. The trip comes as Trump tries to strengthen US ties with Gulf nations and seek support on issues like the war in Gaza and Iran’s nuclear programme.
Earlier this year, Trump said the US would start calling the Gulf of Mexico the ‘Gulf of America.’ After the Associated Press refused to follow that order in its reporting, the Trump adminration stopped allowing AP journals to attend most events.Story continues below this ad
AP later took the matter to court. A US judge, Trevor McFadden, who was appointed Trump, ruled in AP’s favour. He said the government cannot punish a news organisation for choosing its own words and ordered that AP’s press access be restored.