Donald Trump expected to rename another part of the world following petty dispute in upcoming announcement

Donald Trump is reportedly preparing to stir global controversy once again, this time by trying to rename another historic part of the world. After previously suggesting the Gulf of Mexico should be renamed the “Gulf of America,” he’s now said to be targeting the Persian Gulf a name that’s been in use for centuries.

According to two U.S. officials who spoke to The Associated Press, Trump is expected to announce during his upcoming trip to the Middle East that the United States will no longer refer to the region as the “Persian Gulf.” Instead, he plans to call it the “Arabian Gulf,” aligning with what some Arab nations already call it. His visit to countries like Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates is scheduled to focus on topics like the war in Gaza, Saudi investments, and Iran’s nuclear activity—but this renaming plan is stealing the spotlight.

The Persian Gulf, historically recognized under that name since at least the 16th century, has long been a sensitive subject. Iran sees any attempt to rename it as a political insult and a threat to its cultural and national identity. Though some Arab states do use the term “Arabian Gulf,” most of the international community, scholars, and historical records continue to use “Persian Gulf.”

Iranian officials are already reacting to the rumored announcement. Abbas Araghchi, Iran’s foreign minister, called the idea deeply disrespectful and warned that trying to change the name would backfire.

He emphasized that the name “Persian Gulf” is not about national ownership but reflects a long-standing historical reality. He said politically driven efforts to erase that name are hostile, and such actions would provoke outrage from Iranians everywhere—regardless of whether they support or oppose their government.

Araghchi added that Iran has no issue with names like the Indian Ocean or the Arabian Sea, but said tampering with the name of the Persian Gulf crosses a line. It’s seen as an attempt to erase Iran’s history and culture from the region, and he warned that such a move would not be accepted by Iranians in Iran, the U.S., or anywhere else in the world.

Diplomats are warning Trump that pushing forward with this change could unite Iranians—something rarely seen in the deeply divided country. One diplomat said, “If Trump went ahead with the proposal, he would manage to unite every Iranian, pro- or anti-regime, against him—and that’s nearly impossible.”

This wouldn’t be Trump’s first controversial move in international geography. In the past, he joked about buying Greenland, suggested reclaiming control of the Panama Canal, and even told Canada it should become the 51st U.S. state if it wanted to avoid trade tariffs. He also once said that Gaza should be cleared of Palestinians entirely statements that have repeatedly drawn sharp criticism worldwide.

This isn’t even the first time Trump has used the term “Arabian Gulf.” During his first presidency, he referred to the Persian Gulf that way, sparking strong backlash. Iran’s then-president Hassan Rouhani fired back, saying Trump should “study geography,” while the country’s foreign minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif, accused him of selling out not only friendship but geography itself to the highest bidder.

As of now, Trump hasn’t officially made the announcement, and everything remains speculation. But the very idea of renaming the Persian Gulf has already reignited tensions and reminded the world how even words—and names—can spark international fury.