President Donald Trump is expected to announce during his upcoming trip to Saudi Arabia that the United States will begin referring to the Persian Gulf as the “Arabian Gulf” or “Gulf of Arabia,” according to two U.S. officials. The move aligns with long-standing demands from Arab nations but directly challenges Iran’s historical and cultural ties to the waterway.
The officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss internal plans, said the announcement is planned as part of Trump’s broader diplomatic efforts in the region. The White House and National Security Council did not respond to requests for comment.
The term “Persian Gulf” has been in use since the 16th century, but some Arab countries and the U.S. military have adopted “Arabian Gulf” in recent years. The controversy over the name has been particularly sensitive in Iran, where citizens see it as part of their national identity. In 2012, Iran threatened to sue Google for omitting the name altogether on its maps. On U.S. versions of Google Maps, the body of water is labeled “Persian Gulf (Arabian Gulf),” while Apple Maps lists it only as the Persian Gulf.
Iranian officials swiftly condemned the move. “Everyone knew Trump’s friendship was for sale to the highest bidder. We now know that his geography is, too,” Iran’s former foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said.
On Wednesday, Iran’s current foreign minister Abbas Araghchi wrote on X: “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. Any short-sighted step in this connection will have no validity or legal or geographical effect.”
Trump, who retains ownership of businesses with ties to Gulf nations, is visiting Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates. The visit marks his first overseas trip since taking office on January 20, amid efforts to secure regional support in curbing Iran’s nuclear program and resolving the Israel-Hamas war.
The president’s decision mirrors a previous attempt to rename the Gulf of Mexico as the “Gulf of America,” which led to a legal dispute with the Associated Press. A federal judge ruled in favor of the AP, citing First Amendment protections.
While Trump can direct U.S. agencies to adopt the new terminology, international recognition remains unlikely, as global naming standards are set by bodies such as the International Hydrographic Organization.
