Trump Targets Another Global Name

Two U.S. officials claim Donald Trump is preparing to announce a new naming change. This time, he allegedly plans to rename how the U.S. refers to yet another region—the Persian Gulf.

A Pattern of Rebranding

Trump has already stirred controversy by suggesting the Gulf of Mexico be renamed the Gulf of America. He also mocked Greenland, revealing what he’d call it if the U.S. ever acquired it.
In addition, he expressed interest in reclaiming control of the Panama Canal.

Pushing Boundaries

Not stopping there, Trump attempted to convince Canada to become the 51st U.S. state. He argued this was the only way for Canada to avoid U.S. tariffs.
He also suggested the U.S. should take over Gaza, displacing the Palestinian population.

New Target: The Persian Gulf

Now, rumors suggest Trump is eyeing the Persian Gulf. He’s set to visit Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates this week. His agenda reportedly includes the Israel-Hamas war, Saudi investments, and Iran’s nuclear program.
However, two officials told The Associated Press that Trump also plans to stop using the term “Persian Gulf.” Instead, he will refer to it as the Gulf of Arabia or Arabian Gulf.

A Controversial Choice

The move has already sparked backlash. Critics say Trump either hasn’t learned from past missteps—or simply doesn’t care.
Historically, the Persian Gulf has carried that name since the 16th century. While some Arab countries call it the Arabian Gulf, the name remains a sensitive issue.

Historical Tensions

Back in 2012, Iran sued Google for leaving the gulf’s name off its map. Iran views the name as more than a label—it’s a symbol of national identity.
One diplomat told The Guardian:

“If Trump went ahead with the proposal, he would unite every Iranian—pro- or anti-regime—against him. That’s a near-impossible feat.”

Iran Responds

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi dismissed the claims as possible disinformation. He emphasized that the name represents global heritage—not ownership.
He stated:

“Politically motivated attempts to alter the Persian Gulf’s name reflect hostile intent toward Iran and are firmly condemned.”
He warned that any such move would spark outrage among Iranians around the world.

Not the First Time

This isn’t Trump’s first attempt. During his presidency, he already referred to the Persian Gulf as the Gulf of Arabia, which drew criticism.
At the time, Iran’s then-president Hassan Rouhani advised him to “study geography.”
Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif tweeted:

“Everyone knew Trump’s friendship was for sale to the highest bidder. We now know his geography is, too.”