Trump to Rename Persian Gulf as 'Arabian Gulf', Sparking Iranian Fury Amid Nuclear Talks
Iran condemns move as provocative as diplomats seek breakthrough in US-Iran nuclear negotiations.
Donald Trump is expected to announce during his upcoming visit to Saudi Arabia that the United States will begin referring to the body of water south of Iran as the "Arabian Gulf" or "Gulf of Arabia," abandoning the historically recognized name "Persian Gulf."
The proposed renaming has provoked a sharp backlash from Iranian leaders, who view it as a hostile and politically motivated gesture at a delicate moment in US-Iran relations. The announcement comes as Western diplomats work to finalize a deal with Tehran over its nuclear programme—efforts that now risk being derailed.
“If Trump follows through, he will accomplish the near-impossible: uniting all Iranians, regardless of political affiliation, in outrage,” one diplomat warned.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi dismissed the proposed name change as “absurd” and likely misinformation. He emphasized that geographic names such as the Persian Gulf are part of humanity’s shared heritage, not instruments of political rivalry.
“The name ‘Persian Gulf’ is rooted in millennia of history,” Araghchi stated. “Iran has never objected to terms like the Arabian Sea or Red Sea. But politically motivated efforts to alter the Persian Gulf’s name reflect hostility toward Iran and are deeply offensive to Iranians everywhere.”
While some Arab countries have long advocated for the alternative name, Iran has remained steadfast in defending the traditional designation, tracing its origins to the Persian Empire. The name "Persian Gulf" has been widely used since the 16th century and appears in ancient Roman texts. In contrast, “Arabian Gulf” is a relatively recent usage, mainly popularized in some Arab nations.
In 2012, Iran even threatened to sue Google for omitting any label on the Gulf in its maps, underscoring the sensitivity of the issue.
Trump reportedly views the renaming as a strategic gesture to strengthen ties with Arab allies and potentially encourage further normalization with Israel. The move follows his earlier remark that the US would begin calling the Gulf of Mexico the “Gulf of America,” further highlighting his symbolic, nationalistic approach to naming conventions.
Despite the uproar, Vice President JD Vance offered a positive outlook on the nuclear negotiations during a Munich Security Conference event in Washington. “So far, so good,” he said. “Iran can pursue civil nuclear power, but we draw the line at enrichment that could lead to a nuclear weapon.”
Vance’s comments suggest that a compromise allowing limited uranium enrichment under UN supervision may be on the table—an arrangement that could pave the way for Iran’s reintegration into the global economy.
However, diplomats warn that Trump’s Gulf renaming could fuel hardliner narratives in Iran, undermining the fragile diplomatic progress. European negotiators are urging Tehran to remain focused on the bigger picture and not allow symbolism to derail substantive talks.
The naming of the Gulf has been a recurring source of international tension, and this latest move by Trump threatens to inflame regional sensitivities at a critical juncture.
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