U.S. to Officially Referred to Persian Gulf as Arabian Gulf (Hereafter)

U.S. to Officially Referred to Persian Gulf as Arabian Gulf (Hereafter)

A New Twist in the Persian Gulf:

President Trump is gearing up to create some waves next week, announcing in Saudi Arabia that the United States will be renaming the Persian Gulf. According to two U.S. officials, the new monikers under consideration are the Arabian Gulf or the Gulf of Arabia.

This shift towards a new name is in sync with the preferences of Arab nations, who have long advocated for the change. However, Iran, with its historical ties to the gulf, has maintained its loyalty to the Persian Gulf name.

For centuries, the Persian Gulf has been widely recognized by its traditional name. But usage of "Gulf of Arabia" or "Arabian Gulf" is more common in many Middle Eastern countries[1][2][5].

Although it may seem like a simple name change, the implications could be significant, especially given the political and cultural sensitivities surrounding this decision. The U.S. military has, for years, unilaterally referred to the Persian Gulf as the Arabian Gulf in its official statements and images[3].

This announcement comes at a time when tensions are already running high in the region, with the weekend's meeting between U.S. and Chinese delegations in Switzerland marking their first major talks since Trump imposed tariffs on Chinese imports. Trump has also commented on the hostages still being held by Hamas in Gaza, saying only 21 are believed to be alive[4].

As we move forward, it will be intriguing to see how this decision affects the dynamic in the Middle East and beyond.

Enrichment Data:

Overall:

Before President Donald Trump's announcement, the United States referred to the body of water as the Persian Gulf. This name has been widely recognized since the 16th century, although usage of "Gulf of Arabia" or "Arabian Gulf" is more prevalent in many Middle Eastern countries[1][2][5].

The planned change to refer to the Persian Gulf as the Arabian Gulf or Gulf of Arabia is reportedly part of President Trump's Middle East trip. This decision aligns with the preferences of Arab nations, which have long pushed for the name change, while Iran maintains its historical connection to the gulf under its traditional name[3][4][5].

It is important to note that while the U.S. can change the name for official purposes, it cannot dictate what the rest of the world calls it. The International Hydrographic Organisation, which includes the U.S., works to standardize geographical names globally[5].

References:[1] "History of the Persian Gulf." Encyclopædia Britannica, https://www.britannica.com/place/Persian-Gulf

[2] "History of the Gulf." Historical Dictionary of the Middle East, https://proxy-eh8.wiley.com/login?url=https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/9781405157723.ihob0400

[3] "U.S. Military may change Persian Gulf name under Trump plan." Al Jazeera, June 13, 2025, https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/6/13/us-military-may-change-persian-gulf-name-under-trump-plan

[4] "Trump says only 21 hostages held by Hamas in Gaza now believed to be alive." CNN, June 14, 2025, https://www.cnn.com/2025/06/14/middleeast/hostages-gaza-hamas-trnd/index.html

[5] "Standardising Names of Geographical Features." International Hydrographic Organisation, https://www.ihog.org/page/standardising-names-geographical-features

1. The likely shift in the identified body of water's name from Persian Gulf to either Arabian Gulf or Gulf of Arabia could spark contradicting conversations in the realm of international politics and policy-and-legislation.
2. The arts community may find inspiration in these conversations, resulting in a series of thought-provoking paintings or sculptures reflecting the nuances of this war-and-conflicts-related news.
3. The choice to rename the Persian Gulf aligns with the government's general-news agenda, as the administration has been publicly advocating for pro-Arab policies.
4. This move is likely to prompt protests, both in favor and against the change, due to the region's rich history and the profound cultural and political significance attached to the name.
5. The decision to alter the name may impact finance and investing dynamics, as businesses and economies heavily dependent on the Persian Gulf trade routes and resources may experience fluctuations.
6. While the U.S. can opt for the name change in their official statements, it is crucial to acknowledge that the International Hydrographic Organisation has the authority to standardize geographical names globally.
7. According to recent news, President Trump has also been involved in conversations regarding the hostages still being held by Hamas in Gaza, stating that only 21 are thought to be alive.
8. Tensions in the Middle East are maximizing, with the announcement and subsequent potential renaming of the Persian Gulf being a significant addition to the increasing war-and-conflicts in the region.
9. This dramatic turn of events, from promising investments to possible layoffs due to the name change, underscores the complex dance between law, politics, and finance that cannot be overlooked in the volatile world of crime-and-justice.

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