The Persian Gulf, a strategic waterway cradled between Iran and the Arabian Peninsula, stands as a vital artery for global trade and energy. Its vast oil and gas reserves underscore its geopolitical significance. For over 2,500 years, this gulf has carried the name “Persian Gulf,” a designation rooted in ancient empires, classical texts, and international consensus.
Yet, recent decades have seen challenges from some Arab nations, and now, as of May 7, 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump has announced plans to refer to it as the “Arabian Gulf.” Are these efforts grounded in history or driven by politics?
This article traces the gulf’s historical nomenclature, enriched by ancient and medieval sources, evaluates modern claims, and reaffirms its enduring identity, drawing from Encyclopaedia Iranica, Britannica, United Nations directives, and classical records.
Contents
Historical Roots of the Persian Gulf
Ancient Beginnings
The Persian Gulf traces its name to the 5th century BCE (circa 500 BCE), when Achaemenid inscriptions referred to it as the “Parsa Sea” or “Persian Sea.” The Achaemenid Empire, spanning modern-day Iran to Egypt and Greece, cemented this name in stone-carved records, establishing a foundational anchor for its nomenclature.
Classical Greek and Roman scholars reinforced this. Herodotus, writing around 450 BCE, called it “Persicus Sinus” (Persian Gulf), reflecting the Achaemenid Empire’s dominance.
Similarly, Strabo (circa 1st century BCE), Ptolemy (2nd century CE), and Pliny the Elder (1st century CE) used terms like “Sinus Persicus” or “Persicum Mare” (Persian Sea). Ptolemy’s Sexta Asiae Tabula (circa 150 CE) explicitly identifies it as Sinus Persicus, distinguishing it from surrounding regions.
Greek historian Agatharchides (2nd century BCE) referred to it as the “Sea of Persians,” underscoring its Persian association. Why did these scholars, distant from Persia, adopt this name? It highlights the empire’s profound influence, shaping the region’s identity across cultures.
Medieval Continuity
The name persisted through the Islamic Golden Age and beyond. Arab geographers like Al-Masudi (10th century CE) and Ibn Khaldun (14th century CE) referred to it as “Khalij Fars” (Persian Gulf). Al-Istakhri and Al-Muqaddasi, prominent scholars of the Islamic era, used “Bahr Fars” (Persian Sea) in their works. Ibn Khaldun’s Muqaddimah (circa 1377 CE) and Al-Masudi’s chronicles consistently employed this term, even as Arab communities thrived along the gulf’s southern shores.
Medieval maps further solidify this. European cartographers, such as Gerard Mercator in the 1600s, labeled it “Sinus Persicus” in works like L’Empire des Turcs. Ortelius’ 16th-century maps and Jacques-Nicolas Bellin’s 18th-century Carte du Golfe Persique used “Golphe Persique.” Historical cartography overwhelmingly supports “Persian Gulf,” with over 6,000 maps drawn before 1890 using this term, and only a negligible fraction employing alternatives like “Arabian Gulf.” This cross-cultural consensus—spanning Persian, Greek, Roman, Arab, and European sources—demonstrates the name’s historical depth.
Other Historical Names
Variations like “Bahrai-Fars” (Persian Sea), “Daryaye-i-Fars” (Sea of Persia), and “Khalij-i Fars” (Gulf of Persia) appear in historical texts, as noted in Encyclopaedia Iranica. These names, used across languages and eras, consistently tie the gulf to Persia, reflecting its cultural and geopolitical prominence. Even during the Islamic era, terms like “Khalij al-Ajami” (Gulf of the Persians) were used, further anchoring the Persian connection.
International Recognition and Official Use
The name Persian Gulf remains firmly entrenched in international standards. The United Nations, a global authority on geographical names, has consistently endorsed “Persian Gulf.” A 2006 directive by the UN Group of Experts on Geographical Names affirmed its historical, geographical, and legal validity, stating there is no justification for adopting “Arabian Gulf.”
The International Hydrographic Organization (IHO), established in 1921, officially recognizes it as the “Gulf of Iran (Persian Gulf)” in its 1953 publication Limits of Oceans and Seas. Historical treaties between Gulf states, as well as institutions like the U.S. Navy and Encyclopaedia Britannica, consistently use “Persian Gulf” (Khalīj al-Fāris), listing “Arabian Gulf” (al-Khalīj al-ʿArabī) as a secondary term used by some Arab nations.
This international consensus reflects centuries of documentation. Britannica defines the waterway as the Persian Gulf, acknowledging its widespread use and historical precedence. The name’s legal and geographical accuracy is unassailable, supported by a continuous record from antiquity to the present.
Modern Challenges to the Name
Arab Claims Emerge
The 20th century introduced a shift. Following the 1979 Iranian Revolution, which heightened tensions with Iran, some Arab nations, including Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, began promoting “Arabian Gulf.” Driven by pan-Arab nationalism and political rivalry, this effort aimed to assert Arab identity over the waterway. But does it hold historical weight?
The evidence is clear: no ancient or medieval texts support “Arabian Gulf.” Over 2,500 years of records—spanning Achaemenid inscriptions, Greek and Roman texts, Islamic scholarship, and European cartography—exclusively use Persian-associated terms. The United Nations and IHO reaffirm this, rendering “Arabian Gulf” a modern construct without historical or legal basis.
Political Motivations
What fuels the “Arabian Gulf” narrative? Scholars attribute it to geopolitical strategies, particularly the rise of Arab nationalism and efforts to counter Iran’s historical influence.
The term emerged as a political tool, not a reflection of historical accuracy. Iran’s officials have repeatedly emphasized that renaming the gulf lacks factual grounding, a view echoed by international bodies.
Donald Trump’s Announcement
On May 7, 2025, reports surfaced that U.S. President Donald Trump plans to announce during a trip to Saudi Arabia that the United States will refer to the Persian Gulf as the “Arabian Gulf” or “Gulf of Arabia.” This echoes a 2017 controversy when Trump’s use of “Arabian Gulf” prompted Iran’s then-president Hassan Rouhani to remark that he needed to “study geography.” The 2025 announcement, coinciding with visits to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE, aligns with Trump’s efforts to bolster ties with Arab allies amid tensions with Iran.
The decision has ignited a firestorm, particularly among Iran’s youth. A wave of protests has erupted across social media, with young Iranians rallying under hashtags like #PersianGulfForever to defend their heritage. Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi condemned the move on X, stating that altering the gulf’s name is “indicative of hostile intent toward Iran and its people” and will provoke “the wrath of all Iranians.” X users have echoed this, declaring, “It’s always been the Persian Gulf. It’ll always be the Persian Gulf.”
Trump’s announcement appears politically motivated, aligning with Gulf allies’ preferences and the U.S. military’s practice of using “Arabian Gulf” in statements. However, the United Nations, IHO, and global institutions remain unwavering, recognizing only “Persian Gulf.” Trump’s policy, while symbolic for U.S. purposes, cannot override international nomenclature or erase millennia of historical evidence.
Cultural Significance
The Persian Gulf has long been a crossroads of civilizations. Persians, Arabs, Indians, and Europeans exchanged goods and ideas along its shores via the Silk Road. The name “Persian Gulf” honors the Achaemenid Empire’s legacy, whose art, architecture, and governance profoundly shaped the region. Landmarks like Persepolis, founded in 518 BCE, and the Imam Reza Shrine in Mashhad, Iran, embody this heritage.
Arab scholars, including Al-Masudi and Al-Istakhri, embraced “Khalij Fars,” recognizing Persia’s historical role. The gulf’s name bridges this shared history, transcending modern divisions. Renaming it risks insulting the heritage of Iranians and violating the collective legacy of the region.
Economic and Strategic Importance
The Persian Gulf drives the global economy, housing vast oil and gas reserves. The Strait of Hormuz, linking the gulf to the Gulf of Oman, ranks among the world’s busiest shipping lanes. Nations like the United States, China, and Russia vie for influence, drawn by its resources. In international trade, “Persian Gulf” remains the standard term, emphasizing the need for a consistent, historically grounded name.
Environmental Dimensions
The gulf supports diverse ecosystems—coral reefs, fish, and sea turtles—but faces threats from pollution, overfishing, and climate change.
Conservation initiatives, such as the Persian Gulf Coral Reef Conservation Project, rely on the name “Persian Gulf” for global collaboration. Renaming risks confusing these efforts, undermining environmental cooperation.
The Future of the Name
What lies ahead for the Persian Gulf? Despite political tensions and environmental challenges, its historical name endures. The United Nations, IHO, and global institutions uphold “Persian Gulf,” backed by over 2,500 years of evidence—from Achaemenid inscriptions to Mercator’s maps. Social media campaigns, led by Iran’s youth, signal a robust defense of this identity. Sustainable development and conservation efforts will likely keep “Persian Gulf” at the forefront.
Conclusion
The Persian Gulf bears a name forged in history, from Achaemenid inscriptions of 500 BCE to Ptolemy’s 2nd-century maps and Bellin’s 18th-century charts. Claims of “Arabian Gulf,” amplified by Arab nations and Trump’s May 7, 2025, announcement, are political gestures, not historical truths. Supported by the United Nations, IHO, classical scholars like Strabo and Pliny, and over 6,000 historical maps, “Persian Gulf” stands firm. Fueled by Iran’s youth on social media, its cultural, economic, and environmental significance ensures this name endures as a testament to a shared global heritage.
Sources: Encyclopaedia Iranica, United Nations directives, Britannica, The Guardian (May 7, 2025), Encyclopaedia Britannica, International Hydrographic Organization, and historical texts.
