Trump Declares It the 'Arabian Gulf' — And All Hell Breaks Loose
In a move that's already sending shockwaves through global capitals, Trump is expected to announce that the United States will start calling the Persian Gulf the "Arabian Gulf" — a provocative rebrand that's infuriated Iran and thrown international diplomacy into a tailspin, just as fragile nuclear talks hang in the balance.
Trump's War on World Maps
The name-change bombshell is expected to drop during Trump's tour of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE — all of which share coastlines with the disputed body of water. This is the same body of water that has been internationally known as the Persian Gulf since the 16th century and is officially listed as such by the International Hydrographic Organization.
But in a now-familiar pattern, Trump is shaking up the status quo. Just months ago, he ordered that U.S. agencies begin calling the Gulf of Mexico the "Gulf of America" — a move that drew global eye-rolls and legal questions but won praise from MAGA loyalists.
Now, he appears ready to escalate his rebranding crusade on foreign shores.
Iran's Reaction: Outrage and Warnings
Iran, which boasts more than 1,000 miles of coastline along the gulf, has called the name change a blatant insult. Iranian officials described the move as politically motivated and warned that it would provoke a unified response from Iranians of all political persuasions. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi rejected the rebrand as a distortion of history and an attack on Iran's cultural heritage.
The dispute over what to call the waterway is not new. Arab states have pushed for the "Arabian Gulf" label since the 1960s, while Iran — formerly known as Persia — has fought to preserve the traditional name. In 2010, Iran even warned airlines that referring to the waterway as the "Arabian Gulf" on in-flight monitors would result in them being banned from Iranian airspace.
Why Now?
Trump's allies claim the decision is a symbolic show of solidarity with Arab nations — but it's not just politics. Trump family business interests in the region have exploded in recent months, with deals including a $5.5 billion luxury golf resort in Qatar, a $1 billion hotel and residence in Dubai, and a $2 billion cryptocurrency investment in Abu Dhabi.
Critics argue the renaming is timed to coincide with these ventures — allowing Trump to curry favor with key Gulf leaders while advancing both his diplomatic agenda and family brand.
U.S. law prohibits presidents from accepting direct profits from foreign governments, but the Trump family has long maintained that its assets are held in trust and operated independently.
Will It Stick?
The U.S. government can choose to adopt the new name for its own official use — maps, military communications, and diplomatic documents — but that doesn't mean the rest of the world will follow. Without congressional backing, a future president could simply reverse the change. And despite Trump's ability to shift internal language, international bodies like the United Nations and the IHO continue to use "Persian Gulf."
Still, the symbolic weight of the move could have real-world consequences. European diplomats working to restart the Iran nuclear deal say the rebranding could derail sensitive negotiations, empowering Iranian hardliners who oppose any dialogue with the United States.
Some warn the announcement could even push Tehran to withdraw from talks altogether.
Mapping the Future
Trump is teasing a big announcement on the horizon. "We're going to have a very, very big announcement to make, like as big as it gets," Trump said. "And I won't tell you on what ... and it's very positive," as reported by The New York Post.
The Persian Gulf renaming appears poised to be the centerpiece of his Middle East diplomacy blitz.
But what comes next?
From the "Gulf of America" to the "Arabian Gulf," Trump has made it clear that geography is fair game — and his critics are watching nervously to see which landmark gets rebranded next. While maps may be made of paper, Trump is using them like political scorecards — reshuffling names, rewriting narratives, and leaving the world to wonder what comes next.
References: Trump to announce the US will call the Persian Gulf the Arabian Gulf — ahead of massive Middle East trip | Trump plans to announce US will refer to Arabian Gulf rather than Persian Gulf | Trump Wants to Rename Another Gulf in MAGA Rebranding Crusade
