President Donald Trump speaks before Steve Witkoff is sworn in as special envoy during a ceremony in the Oval Office of the White House, Tuesday, May 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
"Such biased actions are an affront to all Iranians, regardless of their background or place of residence. Let's hope that the absurd rumors about the PERSIAN Gulf that are going around are no more than a disinformation campaign by ‘forever warriors’ to anger Iranians all over the world and agitate them," Seyed Abbas Araghchi wrote on X.
The foreign minister said the name Persian Gulf "is deeply rooted in human history" and that Iran "has never objected to the use of names such as the Sea of Oman, Indian Ocean, Arabian Sea, or Red Sea."
"The use of these names does not imply ownership by any particular nation, but rather reflects a shared respect for the collective heritage of humanity," Abbas Araghchi wrote, adding that he is confident Trump "is aware that the name PERSIAN Gulf is centuries old and recognized by all cartographers and international bodies and was even used by all leaders of the region in their official communications until as recently as 1960's."
"While any short-sighted step in this connection will have no validity or legal or geographical effect, it will only bring the wrath of all Iranians from all walks of life and political persuasion in Iran, the U.S. and across the world," he said.
Trump is traveling in the coming days to the Middle East, where he will visit Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, which all lie on the body of water.
Vice President JD Vance previewed the upcoming U.S.-Iran nuclear talks during a discussion at the Munich Leaders meeting in Washington, D.C., May 7, 2025. (MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty Images)
On Google Maps in the U.S., the body of water appears as the "Persian Gulf" followed by "Arabian Gulf" in parentheses. Apple Maps only says the Persian Gulf.
The U.S. military for years has unilaterally referred to the Persian Gulf as the Arabian Gulf in statements and images it releases.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
A spat developed in 2017 during Trump’s first term when he used the name Arabian Gulf for the waterway. Iran’s president at the time, Hassan Rouhani, suggested Trump needed to "study geography."
"Everyone knew Trump’s friendship was for sale to the highest bidder. We now know that his geography is, too," Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif wrote online at the time.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Danielle Wallace is a breaking news and politics reporter at Fox News Digital. Story tips can be sent to danielle.wallace@fox.com and on X: @danimwallace.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-rename-persian-gulf-arabian-gulf-ahead-us-iran-nuclear-talks-middle-east-trip-report