Trump Considers Renaming Persian Gulf to ‘Arabian Gulf’ During Upcoming Middle East Trip -

Read Time:1 Minute, 47 Second

Washington, D.C., May 8, 2025: President Donald Trump is preparing to announce a controversial name change for the Persian Gulf, potentially renaming the strategic waterway as the “Arabian Gulf” or “Gulf of Arabia,” according to two senior administration officials familiar with internal discussions.

The proposed renaming aligns with Trump’s scheduled visit to the Middle East next week, which includes stops in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates, all of whom have historically supported dropping the term “Persian” in favor of more Arab-centric nomenclature. Discussions are ongoing within the White House, and it remains uncertain if a formal declaration will be made during the trip.

When questioned at an Oval Office event on Wednesday, Trump responded cautiously. “They’re going to ask me about that when I get there, and I’ll have to make a decision,” he said. “I don’t want to hurt anybody’s feelings,” Trump added. He is slated to receive a detailed briefing before finalizing his stance.

Advertisements

The potential renaming has already sparked a backlash from Iran. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi issued a stern warning via X (formerly Twitter), calling the move “politically motivated” and asserting it would “bring the wrath of all Iranians from all walks of life and political persuasion.” Araghchi further emphasized that the term “Persian Gulf” is centuries old and has been used officially by leaders of the region until the 1960s.

This move adds strain to already delicate U.S.–Iran relations, as both nations continue negotiations over a potential nuclear agreement. Experts believe the symbolic act of renaming could further inflame regional tensions.

Advertisements

In a related development, Trump earlier this year signed an executive order renaming the Gulf of Mexico as the “Gulf of America,” a change now reflected on Google Maps for U.S. users. That decision, too, has led to legal disputes, including a lawsuit involving The Associated Press, which has refused to adopt the new term in its stylebook.

While some House Republicans are pushing to codify the new names into law, resistance remains within the GOP itself, reflecting the broader controversy surrounding these high-profile geographic rebrandings.