Featured Image Credit: Getty Images/Tasos Katopodis
Topics: Donald Trump, US News, World News
Poppy Bilderbeck
Topics: Donald Trump, US News, World News
Two officials claim Donald Trump is set to announce plans revealing a change to how the US refers to yet another part of the world.
As if signing an executive order to have the Gulf of Mexico's name changed to the Gulf of America wasn't enough for Trump, he went on to taunt Greenland - revealing what he'd call it should the US ever acquire it - alongside unveiling plans to reclaim the Panama Canal.
The POTUS also tried to convince Canada to become the 51st state of America - stating it was the only way for it to avoid tariffs - and has shown intent to 'take over' Gaza displacing all Palestinians.
And now, it's rumored he's set to go for the Persian Gulf too.
Advert
The POTUS is set to visit Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates in the forthcoming week, expected to discuss the ongoing Israel-Hamas war in Gaza alongside talking about the Saudi investment in the US and Iran's nuclear program.
And two US officials have since come forward to The Associated Press to claim he's also going to declare the US' plans to no longer refer to the Gulf of Persia as the Persian Gulf or the Gulf of Persia, but instead as the Gulf of Arabia or Arabian Gulf.
Clearly not learning from his past mistakes - or simply not caring - shockingly, this hasn't gone down too well.
The Persian Gulf has been known as such since the 16th Century, however some the region's Arab nations refer to it as the Arabian Gulf.
When Google Maps failed to label the body of water off the southern coast of Iran at all, in 2012, Iran decided to sue the company.
Granted, the gulf is known by both two names depending on who you ask, but with Trump sticking his oar in, figures have since spoken out.
A diplomat said, as quoted by The Guardian: "If Trump went ahead with the proposal he would manage to unite every Iranian, pro- or anti-regime, against him, and that is a near impossible achievement."
Iranian foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, hopes the claims are simply disinformation noting the name does 'not imply ownership by any particular nation, but rather reflects a shared respect for the collective heritage of humanity,' the name '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. 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," he continued.
"Any shortsighted 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."
While the claims remain, at this moment in time, just that - claims - Trump has referred to the Gulf of Persia in the past.
During his first term as president of the US, Trump referred to the gulf as the Gulf of Arabia which sparked backlash.
The then-president of Iran, Hassan Rouhani, advised Trump to 'study geography'.
And Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, wrote online: "Everyone knew Trump's friendship was for sale to the highest bidder. We now know that his geography is, too."
UNILAD has contacted the White House for comment.