Iranian and Iraqi parliamentary leaders clash over Gulf name amid Trump-linked controversy
Speakers of Iran’s and Iraq’s legislatures sparked a naming dispute over the Gulf, each posting photos favoring opposite terms after a Trump comment.
On Thursday, the heads of Iran’s and Iraq’s parliaments entered a toponymic quarrel over the name of the sea south of both nations. Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf posted an uncaptioned photo showing a map that reads "Persian Gulf" in both English and Farsi. In retaliation, Haibat al-Halbousi uploaded a comparable image with "Arabian Gulf" superimposed in Arabic, reflecting his Progress Party’s opposition to Iranian-backed factions.
The naming battle echoes a May 2025 Oval Office comment by Donald Trump, who said he might adopt the Arab term before a Saudi visit. Iran’s consulate in Najaf countered with a 1936 Iraqi geographic guide labeling the body as "Persian Gulf," while the consulate in Hyderabad mocked al-Halbousi’s post. The dispute highlights lingering regional sensitivities over the Gulf’s designation.
Why it matters
The exchange underscores how symbolic naming can inflame regional politics and reflect broader geopolitical tensions.
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