President Donald Trump plans to announce during an upcoming visit to Saudi Arabia that the U.S. will officially begin calling the Persian Gulf the “Arabian Gulf,” two U.S. officials confirmed.
The move is already drawing outrage from Iran and raising eyebrows worldwide.
For centuries, the body of water bordering Iran and several Arab states has been known internationally as the Persian Gulf. But many Arab countries refer to it as the Arabian Gulf or Gulf of Arabia.
Trump’s decision aligns with Gulf nations like Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates — key U.S. allies and business partners.
Iran, which shares much of the northern coast of the gulf, has fiercely defended the term “Persian Gulf” as part of its national identity. Iranian officials immediately condemned the name change, calling it politically motivated and insulting.
“Any attempt to rewrite history in this way is hostile and will provoke a strong reaction from Iranians around the world,” said Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in a post on social media.
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This isn’t Trump’s first attempt to rename global landmarks. Earlier this year, he controversially declared the U.S. would begin referring to the Gulf of Mexico as the “Gulf of America,” prompting a legal battle with news outlets.
While the U.S. can choose its own official terms, Trump’s move won’t affect international maps or naming conventions overseen by global bodies like the International Hydrographic Organization.
Analysts believe Trump’s announcement is part of a broader strategy to strengthen economic and political ties with Gulf Arab nations, particularly as tensions continue over Iran’s nuclear ambitions and ongoing conflicts in Gaza.
Critics, including many in the U.S., say Trump is prioritizing political favoritism and personal business interests over diplomacy and historical accuracy.
The name change, though symbolic, risks deepening regional divisions and damaging U.S. credibility on the global stage.
