Always the Persian Gulf: Preserving the Name of a Historic and Cultural Landmark

Washington, D.C. – President Donald Trump has indicated that he will decide during his upcoming trip to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates whether the U.S. government will officially refer to the Persian Gulf as the “Arabian Gulf” or “Gulf of Arabia.” Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump stated, “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.” This statement follows reports suggesting that the administration is considering a change in terminology, a move that has already sparked significant backlash from Iranians across the political spectrum, who view the name “Persian Gulf” as an integral part of their national heritage.

This decision, set to be unveiled during President Trump’s upcoming trip to Saudi Arabia, disregards centuries of historical precedent and international consensus. The Persian Gulf has been recognized by that name since at least the 16th century. International bodies, including the International Hydrographic Organization — which works to ensure all the world’s seas, oceans, and navigable waters are surveyed and charted uniformly — uses “Persian Gulf” in its official documents.  

For centuries, maps from around the world — including those held by the U.S. government — have consistently recognized the body of water as the Persian Gulf. A 1763 map by French cartographer Jacques-Nicolas Bellin, preserved by the Library of Congress and pictured above, is just one example of the long-standing historical and international consensus around its name. Another is Giacomo Gastaldi’s 1548 map of the “Golpho de Persia”, as denoted by cartographic historian Gerald Tibbetts. Both of these maps, like others, reflect what we know to be true: no political decision can erase history.  

While the U.S. military occasionally uses “Arabian Gulf” in regional communications to align with certain Arab partners, the U.S. Board on Geographic Names continues to officially recognize “Persian Gulf” as the standard nomenclature. 

The President’s unilateral decision appears to be a politically motivated gesture aimed at strengthening ties with Gulf Arab states, particularly Saudi Arabia, at the expense of historical accuracy and diplomatic neutrality. 

Our Stance: Moving Forward Together 

The Iranian American community has expressed unified outrage over this announcement. Across political and ideological lines, Iranian Americans view the renaming as an affront to their heritage and identity. It disregards the cultural and historical significance of the name “Persian Gulf” to Iranians worldwide. The Public Affairs Alliance of Iranian Americans affirms that the Persian Gulf has been, and will always be, known by its historical name. While President Trump may alter terminology for official U.S. purposes, he cannot dictate what the rest of the world calls this historic body of water. Over the course of the first day since the news broke, a global consensus — outside of the U.S.’s Arab allies — questions the move. The skepticism underscores the enduring significance of the name and the importance of resisting politically motivated changes that disregard historical facts. 

Call to Action 

We urge all members of the Iranian American community and allies to oppose this decision. We at PAAIA have launched a petition to express our collective dissent and urge the administration to uphold historical and international standards. We have also sent a letter to the Trump administration urging them to reconsider this decision.

Sign our petition below. Together, we can ensure that the name “Persian Gulf” continues to be recognized and respected globally.