Trump to Announce U.S. Will Officially Refer to Persian Gulf as "Arabian Gulf" During Saudi Visit
The official announcement is expected to be made in Riyadh next week.
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) — President Donald Trump is expected to announce during his upcoming visit to Saudi Arabia that the United States will officially begin referring to the Persian Gulf as the "Arabian Gulf" or the "Gulf of Arabia," according to two U.S. officials who spoke to the Associated Press (AP) on Tuesday.
The announcement, slated to coincide with Trump’s first overseas trip since taking office, marks a significant diplomatic shift that aligns with the longstanding preferences of Arab nations in the region. Both officials requested anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter. The White House and the National Security Council have not commented on the report.
The name of the body of water that borders Iran to the north and several Arab Gulf states to the south has long been a subject of political contention. While the term “Persian Gulf” has been in use since at least the 16th century and is widely recognized internationally, several Arab states have promoted the alternative terms “Arabian Gulf” or “Gulf of Arabia” in official discourse.
Iran, formerly known as Persia, has consistently defended the historical name and regards any change as an affront to its national identity. The issue gained global attention in 2012 when Tehran threatened legal action against Google for omitting the name on its mapping service.
Currently, Google Maps labels the body of water as “Persian Gulf (Arabian Gulf)” in the U.S., while Apple Maps continues to use only “Persian Gulf.” Despite the official terminology, the U.S. military has frequently used "Arabian Gulf" in public communications, which has drawn criticism from Iranian officials in the past.
During a similar controversy in 2017, then-Iranian President Hassan Rouhani called on Trump to “study geography” after he referred to the waterway as the Arabian Gulf. Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif wrote on social media: “Everyone knew Trump’s friendship was for sale to the highest bidder. We now know that his geography is, too.”
According to AP, although Trump can dictate naming conventions for U.S. government use, he cannot impose those changes internationally. The International Hydrographic Organization (IHO), of which the U.S. is a member, sets global naming standards for maritime features, though national variations often persist.
Trump’s upcoming Middle East tour includes stops in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates—nations that all border the contested body of water. The trip is aimed at strengthening economic and strategic ties, including seeking regional investment in the U.S. and building consensus on Middle East conflicts, such as the war in Gaza and concerns over Iran’s nuclear program.
The official announcement is expected to be made in Riyadh next week.
