U.S. President Donald Trump is expected to announce during his upcoming visit to Saudi Arabia next week that his administration will officially adopt the term “Arabian Gulf” instead of the “Persian Gulf” in U.S. government usage, according to two American officials.
The shift aligns with the preferences of several Arab nations that have long advocated for a change in the geographical naming of the waterway south of Iran. Tehran, however, insists on the historical name “Persian Gulf,” citing centuries of documented usage, Associated Press said today (Tuesday).
The U.S. officials, who requested anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter, said the move is likely to be highlighted during Trump’s engagements with Gulf Arab leaders. The White House and the National Security Council have yet to respond to requests for comment.
The naming dispute has sparked controversy in the past. In 2012, Iran — formerly known as Persia — threatened legal action against Google over its failure to label the waterway on its maps. Currently, U.S.-based Google Maps shows the name as “Persian Gulf (Arabian Gulf),” while Apple Maps refers to it simply as the “Persian Gulf.”
While the U.S. president can influence official terminology used by federal agencies, he cannot compel international entities or other countries to adopt the new designation.
