Trump to ‘make a decision’ on how US refers to Persian Gulf
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During US President Donald Trump's first term, he angered Iran by publicly using the term Arabian Gulf for the oil-rich water body historically known as the Persian Gulf.
PHOTO: EPA-EFE
WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump said on May 7 that he would decide on how the US refers to the Gulf, after US media said he was ready to call it the Gulf of Arabia instead of the Persian Gulf.
Mr Trump said he would speak to officials about the issue when he visits Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates next week on the first major Middle East trip of his second term.
During his first term, he angered Iran by publicly using the term Arabian Gulf for the oil-rich water body historically known as the Persian Gulf, but which Arab nationalists have sought to rename.
“I don’t want to hurt anybody’s feelings,” Mr Trump said at the White House when asked about US media reports that he was ready to change the way that Washington refers to the sensitive waterway.
“I’m going to be given a briefing on that, and I’ll make a decision,” he added.
His thoughts of a change had been inspired by his own declaration that the Gulf of Mexico should be called the “Gulf of America”.
Iran hit back at the idea.
“Politically motivated attempts to alter the historically established name of the Persian Gulf are indicative of hostile intent towards Iran and its people,” Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on social media platform X. AFP
