Iran Warns ‘Wrath’ Over Trump’s Reported Plans For Renaming Persian Gulf The ‘Arabian Gulf’

Topline Iran sharply condemned President Donald Trump’s reported plans to start referring to the Persian Gulf as the “Gulf of Arabia” or the “Arabian Gulf” in his latest push to expand his global stamp. President Donald Trump delivers remarks during a swearing-in ceremony for Special Envoy to the ... More Middle East Steve Witkoff in the Oval Office at the White House on May 06, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images) Key Facts Trump plans to make the announcement to coincide with his visit to the Middle East next week, CNN and the Associated Press reported, citing unnamed administration officials. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi issued a pointed warning in response to the reports, writing on X that “any short-sighted step in this connection will have no validity or legal or geographical effect” and “will only bring the wrath of all Iranians from all walks of life.” Trump on Tuesday teased a “very, very big” and “really, really positive” announcement ahead of his trip next week, though it’s unclear what he was referring to. Forbes has reached out to the White House for comment. Tangent Iran, formerly known as Persia, has fiercely advocated to preserve the name of the body of water that divides it and Saudi Arabia as the “Persian Gulf,” even as many Arab countries refer to it as the “Gulf of Arabia” and the “Arabian Gulf.” Iran similarly rebuked Trump when he suggested the renaming during his first term. Surprising Fact The body of water is labeled as “Persian Gulf (Arabian Gulf)” on Google Maps and “Persian Gulf” on Apple Maps. Key Background Trump signed an executive order earlier this year to rename the “Gulf of Mexico” as the “Gulf of America” for official U.S. purposes, though he can’t control how it’s referred to across the rest of the world. The order regarding the gulf instructed the Interior Department to rename the body of water in its Geographic Names Information System database. The renamings are part of a series of territorial overtures by Trump, including expressing a desire to take over Canada, Greenland and the Panama Canal. Further Reading Trump Renaming Gulf Of Mexico To ‘Gulf Of America.’ Here’s What He Can—And Can’t—Do. (Forbes) Google Maps Will Show ‘Gulf Of America’ And ‘Mt. McKinley’ To US Users (Forbes) Google Maps Says ‘Gulf Of America’ While Google Calendar Drops Pride, Black History Month: What To Know (Forbes) Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/saradorn/2025/05/07/iran-warns-trump-renaming-persian-gulf-will-bring-the-wrath-of-all-iranians/