Iraq summons Iran's ambassador over disputed Gulf map posts and name claims

Iraq's foreign ministry summoned Iran's ambassador, Mohammad Kazem al-Sadeq, after Iranian diplomatic accounts posted maps labeling the waterway separating Iran from the Arabian Peninsula as the "Persian Gulf" and claimed that the words "Iraq" and "Baghdad" derive from Persian. Deputy Foreign Minister Shorsh Khalid Saeed met the envoy, seeking clarification and stressing the need for diplomatic dialogue on regional disputes.

Iran's representative reiterated the depth of historical and social connections and the importance of ongoing consultations. The controversy echoes a recent exchange on X between Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, who posted a "Persian Gulf" map, and Iraqi Parliament Speaker Haibat al-Halbousi, who responded with an "Arabian Gulf" version, followed by an embassy post that was later removed after backlash.

The dispute occurs amid heightened regional strain due to the Iran-led war, the de-facto closure of the Strait of Hormuz, and a U.S. naval blockade, all of which have sharply reduced Iraq's oil shipments that normally flow through the strait. Baghdad is also pressing Iranian-backed militias to integrate fully into the state by a September 30 deadline.