Araghchi warns of 'wrath of all Iranians' if Trump renames Persian Gulf
Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has warned of the “wrath of all Iranians” after rumors that US President Donald Trump plans to rename the Persian Gulf during his visit to Saudi Arabia next week.
“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,” Araghchi wrote on X Wednesday.
The warning came after The Associated Press, citing unnamed US officials, said Trump planned to announce in Saudi Arabia that the United States would now refer to the Persian Gulf as the A-r-a-b-i-a-n Gulf or the Gulf of Arabia.
“I am confident that Donald 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,” Araghchi said.
“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 US and across the world,” he added.
“In contrast, politically motivated attempts to alter the historically established name of the Persian Gulf are indicative of hostile intent toward Iran and its people, and are firmly condemned. Such biased actions are an affront to all Iranians, regardless of their background or place of residence.”
The name Persian Gulf, like many geographical designations, is deeply rooted in human history. 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… pic.twitter.com/PQjUiph4qt
— Seyed Abbas Araghchi (@araghchi) May 7, 2025
Araghchi said the name Persian Gulf, like many geographical designations, is deeply rooted in human history.
“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,” he said.
