Donald Trump is set to spark fresh global debate during his upcoming visit to the Middle East by announcing a major change in how the United States refers to a key body of water.
According to officials, the president will declare that the U.S. government will now use the name Arabian Gulf, replacing the historically used Persian Gulf.
The change is expected to be made public while Trump is in Saudi Arabia next week, marking a bold move in the region where naming disputes have long carried political weight. The decision echoes a similar renaming earlier this year when Trump directed federal agencies to start calling the Gulf of Mexico the Gulf of America.
Officials close to the administration confirmed the decision was finalized after internal discussions and would be implemented across government communications and maps. The announcement is already being viewed as a significant diplomatic gesture toward Gulf Arab states, particularly Saudi Arabia, a longtime U.S. ally.
The timing of the move has raised questions. It follows a cryptic statement Trump made during a meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney at the White House, where he hinted at a groundbreaking announcement coming soon. Though he didn’t specify the topic, he described it as highly important and positive.
The renaming is likely to upset Iran, which has consistently objected to any alternative name for the Persian Gulf. Iran regards the traditional name as a matter of national identity and has previously responded strongly to international attempts to modify it. For decades, the naming dispute has symbolized broader tensions in the region.
Reaction from global leaders and historians is expected to be swift. Many scholars have long supported the name Persian Gulf, citing centuries of historical references. Meanwhile, Arab states have pushed for the name Arabian Gulf as a reflection of their cultural and geographic ties to the waterway.
Trump’s administration has frequently used symbolic language and gestures as part of its foreign policy playbook. This latest move, while largely symbolic, may reshape U.S. relations in the region, especially during a time of heightened diplomatic activity and shifting alliances.
The full impact of the decision will likely unfold in the coming weeks as Trump embarks on a high-profile Middle East tour that includes stops in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and possibly Israel. The trip is expected to focus on security, energy cooperation, and economic agreements—but now, it may also be remembered for altering the map.