Donald Trump’s love for changing names has taken a pretty interesting turn. After throwing around the idea of renaming the Gulf of Mexico to the ‘Gulf of America’ in 2024, the US President is now thinking about giving the Persian Gulf a new name. Reports are saying that Trump is considering calling it the ‘Arabian Gulf’ during his trip to the Middle East from 12 to 15 May 2025. This move has caused a lot of anger in Iran. It’s not just about changing a name; it’s become a big deal in terms of politics, bringing Iranians together to defend their cultural heritage and highlighting tensions with their Arab neighbors.
A Name Full of History
The Persian Gulf has been known by that name since at least 550 BC during the Persian dynasty of Cyrus the Great. For Iranians, it’s more than just a geographical location; it’s a symbol of their national identity. It has been referred to as the Persian Gulf in ancient Greek, Roman, and Arab texts for thousands of years. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi mentioned on 7 May 2025 that the name is deeply rooted in their history, poetry, and overall identity. He warned that changing the name would anger all Iranians. On the other hand, some Arab countries like Saudi Arabia and the UAE have been pushing for the name ‘Arabian Gulf’ since the 1950s, pointing to their coastal presence and economic influence.
Trump’s reported plan, which is expected to be announced during his visits to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE, aligns with the preferences of his Arab allies. According to a report from the New York Times on 11 May 2025, Trump hinted at the decision by saying, ‘I’ll have to make a decision. I don’t want to hurt anybody’s feelings.’ But for Iranians, this move feels like a deliberate insult, especially after Trump’s earlier Gulf of America joke, which was seen as a nationalist stunt.
Why Iranians Are Mad
This proposal has managed to do something rare: bring together Iran’s divided political groups. From reformists to hardliners, Iranians see the name Persian Gulf as something that shouldn’t be changed. Posts on social media reflect this sentiment, with users noting on 7 May 2025 that Trump’s idea has ‘united all Iranians, opposition, pro-regime, left, right’. Iran’s government has been vocal about their opposition, with Araghchi calling the move ‘hostile’ and without any ‘legal or geographical effect’. In the past, Iran even protested against Iraq using ‘Arabian Gulf’ for a football tournament in 2023, and they sued Google in 2012 for showing a dual name for the gulf on maps.
The timing of this whole situation is not great. While Tehran is in talks with Washington about its nuclear program, Trump’s decision is viewed as a diplomatic jab that could potentially mess up the negotiations. ‘It’s called Persian not because it’s cute, because it’s ours,’ wrote one social media user, warning that it could strengthen Iran’s hardline regime.
Geopolitical Impact and What Might Happen
Trump’s choice isn’t just about Iran. It shows a leaning towards Arab Gulf states, which are crucial players in his Middle East strategy. The UAE and Saudi Arabia, looking for trade and nuclear energy deals, have been pushing for the name change for a while now. However, this move could escalate tensions with Iran, already strained by Trump’s tough policies. Diplomats are worried that it could disrupt nuclear talks, with Iran’s response potentially affecting trade routes in the Red Sea.
Can Trump actually change the name of the gulf by himself? Legally, no—he can’t. Geographical names are controlled by international organizations like the UN. But if the US starts using ‘Arabian Gulf’, it could change how people see it globally, similar to what happened when Google decided to show both names on maps. For now, Iranians are standing firm, determined to protect the name of their gulf. Trump might get applause from the Arab side, but he’s at risk of uniting a whole nation against him.
