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Trump to Decide on Renaming Persian Gulf During Middle East Visit

President Trump signals a decision on whether the U.S. will adopt 'Arabian Gulf' or 'Gulf of Arabia' for official use, a move condemned by Iran.

A fisherman steers his boat past a flock of gulls on the Persian Gulf coast in Bushehr, Iran, January 17, 2025.
A sign showing the gulf is seen at the entrance to the office of US House Speaker Mike Johnson at the US Capitol in Washington, DC, on May 7.
President Donald Trump speaks before Steve Witkoff is sworn as special envoy during a ceremony in the Oval Office of the White House, Tuesday, May 6, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
President Donald Trump, from right, speaks to reporters accompanied by Interior Secretary Doug Burgum and Burgum's wife Kathryn Burgum, aboard Air Force One where Trump signed a proclamation declaring Feb. 9 Gulf of America Day, as he travels from West Palm Beach, Fla. to New Orleans, Sunday, Feb. 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis)

Overview

  • President Trump announced he will decide on renaming the Persian Gulf during his upcoming trip to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE.
  • The potential renaming to 'Arabian Gulf' or 'Gulf of Arabia' aligns with Arab nations' preferences and marks a symbolic snub to Iran.
  • Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi condemned the proposal as hostile and warned of widespread backlash from Iranians worldwide.
  • The U.S. military has long referred to the body of water as the Arabian Gulf, but any official change would apply only to U.S. government usage.
  • Trump's renaming efforts follow his earlier executive order to rename the Gulf of Mexico as the 'Gulf of America,' sparking domestic and international disputes.