Trump Considers Renaming Persian Gulf During Upcoming Middle East Trip

 

Trump Considers Renaming Persian Gulf During Upcoming Middle East Trip

President Donald Trump is considering renaming the Persian Gulf as the "Gulf of Arabia" or "Arabian Gulf," according to two administration officials familiar with internal discussions. The proposed change is expected to be linked to his upcoming visit to the Middle East, where he will travel to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates.

The officials noted that discussions are ongoing and no final decision has been made on the timing of an official announcement.

When asked about the potential name change during an Oval Office event on Wednesday, Trump acknowledged the matter, saying, “They’re going to ask me about that when I get there, and I’ll have to make a decision. I don’t want to hurt anybody’s feelings. I don’t know if feelings are going to be hurt.” He added that he would receive a formal briefing on the issue during his trip and would make a decision afterward.

Arab countries have long advocated for changing the name of the Persian Gulf—a body of water located south of Iran—to reflect Arab identity. Meanwhile, Iran strongly opposes any alteration to the name. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi responded sharply on social media, warning that such a move would provoke outrage from Iranians both domestically and abroad.

“I am confident that @realdonaldtrump is aware that the name PERSIAN Gulf is centuries old and recognized by all cartographers and international bodies,” Araghchi wrote on X, formerly Twitter. He called efforts to change the name “politically motivated” and historically inaccurate.

The Trump administration’s deliberation comes amid ongoing talks with Iran over a potential nuclear agreement, further complicating the diplomatic landscape.

The Associated Press first reported on the administration’s plans. Earlier this year, Trump signed an executive order to rename the Gulf of Mexico as the “Gulf of America” for U.S.-based platforms, a change now reflected on Google Maps for users in the United States. However, the renaming has faced opposition—even within the Republican Party—as House lawmakers work to make the change permanent.

The AP has also pushed back, stating it will continue using “Gulf of Mexico” in its reporting and style guide while acknowledging the existence of the new label.