In a bold political move, Donald Trump is expected to announce during his upcoming visit to Saudi Arabia that the United States will officially refer to the Persian Gulf as the "Arabian Gulf" or the "Gulf of Arabia." This surprising shift has already sparked outrage among Iranian leaders.

Iran's Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, took to social media to voice his disapproval, stating that the naming of Middle Eastern waterways should reflect a "shared respect for the collective heritage of humanity" rather than any nation's claim. He condemned the US's decision as politically motivated, accusing it of illustrating hostility towards Iran and its people.

The Gulf has long been a contentious topic in Middle Eastern geopolitics, with Arab nations advocating for the new name while Iran insists on its historical designation. The conflict over the name is not a new issue; Iran has actively defended its claim over the Persian Gulf for centuries.

The name "Persian Gulf" has been in use since the 16th century, but both "Arabian Gulf" and "Gulf of Arabia" are rampant in many Middle Eastern countries. Iran went as far as threatening Google with legal action in 2012 when the tech giant refused to acknowledge its name on maps. Interestingly, while Google Maps lists it as "Persian Gulf (Arabian Gulf)" in the US, Apple Maps solely refers to it as the Persian Gulf.

The US military has a long-standing practice of using the term "Arabian Gulf" in its operations. This issue has captivated public sentiment in Iran, underscoring a deep-rooted national pride tied to its historical identity as the Persian Empire. The controversy flared again during Trump's previous term when he used the name "Arabian Gulf," prompting former Iranian President Hassan Rouhani to mockingly suggest that Trump should "study geography."

While Trump can adjust the official nomenclature for American purposes, he cannot control what the global community ultimately decides to call this critical waterway. The International Hydrographic Organization, which governs and surveys the world's waters, plays a significant role in this naming conundrum.

As tensions rise over this proposed name change, the world watches closely how this will affect diplomatic relations in one of the most volatile regions on Earth.