Amid cheers and denouncements, America’s allies and adversaries are about to witness the end of the Gulf of Persia.
Specifically, President Donald Trump will usher in the renamed Arabian Gulf, underscoring America’s ties with Arab nations.
This bold move, scheduled to happen during his upcoming Middle East trip, also sends a clear message to Iran about U.S. priorities.
The president’s decisive action demonstrates his commitment to reshaping American foreign policy on the global stage.
According to two U.S. officials who spoke anonymously, President Trump will make this significant announcement as part of his diplomatic tour to Saudi Arabia.
The name change aligns with the preferences of America’s Arab allies, who have long advocated for the term “Arabian Gulf” over “Persian Gulf.”
This designation has been a point of contention in regional politics for centuries.
While the Persian Gulf has been known by its current name since the 16th century, many Middle Eastern countries already use “Gulf of Arabia” or “Arabian Gulf” in their communications.
The U.S. military has also referred to the body of water as the Arabian Gulf for years, making President Trump’s announcement an official recognition of existing practice rather than a radical departure.
The president previously teased the announcement during a meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, calling it “very big” and “as big as it gets.”
President Trump added, “It’ll be one of the most important announcements that have been made in many years about a certain subject, very important subject.”
Predictably, Iran has already begun pushing back against the potential name change.
When President Trump previously referred to the waterway as the Arabian Gulf in 2017, Iran’s then-president Hassan Rouhani told him to “study geography.”
This naming issue is particularly sensitive for Iranians, who value their historical connection to the Persian Empire and have fiercely defended the traditional name.
Iran’s aggressive stance on this issue is not new. In 2010, Iran warned airlines against using “Arabian Gulf” on in-flight monitors, and in 2012, they threatened to sue Google for not labeling the body of water on its maps.
While Google Maps now labels the sea as “Persian Gulf (Arabian Gulf),” Apple Maps continues to use only “Persian Gulf,” highlighting the ongoing international dispute.
“Politically motivated attempts to alter the historically established name of the Persian Gulf are indicative of hostile intent toward Iran and its people, and are firmly condemned,” stated Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.
President Trump’s upcoming trip to the Middle East includes visits to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE.
The renaming signals his administration’s commitment to strengthening ties with America’s Arab allies while taking a firm stance against Iran’s regional influence and nuclear ambitions.
This strategic move could help secure Saudi investment and support in addressing the Israel-Hamas conflict.
While President Trump can change the name for U.S. purposes, he cannot dictate global usage, which still largely follows the International Hydrographic Organization’s designation of “Persian Gulf.”
Nevertheless, the announcement’s symbolic significance sends a clear message about America’s priorities in the region.
The Arabian Gulf covers nearly 97,000 square miles and borders several countries, including Iran, Iraq, and Saudi Arabia.
This strategic waterway remains vital to global energy supplies and international shipping routes, making its name far more than just a matter of geography.
