Overview

• President Trump is expected to announce the renaming of the Persian Gulf to the Arabian Gulf during an upcoming trip to Saudi Arabia, according to unnamed U.S. officials.
• The Persian Gulf has been the internationally recognized name since the 16th century, though Gulf Arab states, including Saudi Arabia, prefer 'Arabian Gulf.'
• The U.S. National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency lists 'Persian Gulf' as the conventional name but acknowledges 'Arabian Gulf' as a variant, aligning with the U.S. military's longstanding usage.
• This move comes as U.S.–Iran tensions escalate, with the White House issuing strong warnings over Iran's nuclear program and regional activities.
• Trump has previously made controversial geographic renaming decisions, including rebranding the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America earlier this year.