Ships from partner nations of Combined Task Force North participate in an exercise in the Arabian Gulf in 2022. Reuters
Ships from partner nations of Combined Task Force North participate in an exercise in the Arabian Gulf in 2022. Reuters
Ships from partner nations of Combined Task Force North participate in an exercise in the Arabian Gulf in 2022. Reuters
Ships from partner nations of Combined Task Force North participate in an exercise in the Arabian Gulf in 2022. Reuters

US set to begin using 'Arabian Gulf'


Adla Massoud
  • English
  • Arabic

US President Donald Trump reportedly plans to announce during his visit to Saudi Arabia next week that his country will now refer to the sea between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran as the Arabian Gulf or the Gulf of Arabia.

The move, reported by AP, aligns with long-standing efforts by Arab nations to change the name of the strategic waterway, which Iran has long called the Persian Gulf.

The dispute over the naming has been a persistent diplomatic flashpoint between Iran and its Arab neighbours.

"They’re going to ask me about that when I get there [Saudi Arabia], and I’m going to have to make a decision," Mr Trump told reporters at the White House when asked about the potential announcement.

The Bahrain-based US 5th Fleet refers to the waters as the Arabian Gulf.

The naming issue has become deeply politicised. In 2012, Iran threatened legal action against Google after the company omitted the waterway's name on its maps.

Tensions flared in 2017 when Mr Trump used "Arabian Gulf" during his first term, prompting Hassan Rouhani, Iran's president at the time, to suggest he needs to “study geography".

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi reiterated Tehran’s stance on social media, saying that "politically motivated attempts" to alter the name of the Gulf "are indicative of hostile intent towards Iran and its people, and are firmly condemned".

The Iranian mission to the UN said “realities do not change by decisions made in the Oval Office”.

The move follows Mr Trump's earlier statement that the US would rename the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America.

Ashes 2019 schedule

August 1-5: First Test, Edgbaston

August 14-18: Second Test, Lord's

August 22-26: Third Test, Headingley

September 4-8: Fourth Test, Old Trafford

September 12-16: Fifth Test, Oval

Volvo ES90 Specs

Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)

Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp

Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm

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Price: Exact regional pricing TBA

Key facilities
  • Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
  • Premier League-standard football pitch
  • 400m Olympic running track
  • NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
  • 600-seat auditorium
  • Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
  • An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
  • Specialist robotics and science laboratories
  • AR and VR-enabled learning centres
  • Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
How green is the expo nursery?

Some 400,000 shrubs and 13,000 trees in the on-site nursery

An additional 450,000 shrubs and 4,000 trees to be delivered in the months leading up to the expo

Ghaf, date palm, acacia arabica, acacia tortilis, vitex or sage, techoma and the salvadora are just some heat tolerant native plants in the nursery

Approximately 340 species of shrubs and trees selected for diverse landscape

The nursery team works exclusively with organic fertilisers and pesticides

All shrubs and trees supplied by Dubai Municipality

Most sourced from farms, nurseries across the country

Plants and trees are re-potted when they arrive at nursery to give them room to grow

Some mature trees are in open areas or planted within the expo site

Green waste is recycled as compost

Treated sewage effluent supplied by Dubai Municipality is used to meet the majority of the nursery’s irrigation needs

Construction workforce peaked at 40,000 workers

About 65,000 people have signed up to volunteer

Main themes of expo is  ‘Connecting Minds, Creating the Future’ and three subthemes of opportunity, mobility and sustainability.

Expo 2020 Dubai to open in October 2020 and run for six months

The five pillars of Islam

1. Fasting

2. Prayer

3. Hajj

4. Shahada

5. Zakat 

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Date started: 2015

Founder: John Tsioris and Ioanna Angelidaki

Based: Dubai

Sector: Online grocery delivery

Staff: 200

Funding: Undisclosed, but investors include the Jabbar Internet Group and Venture Friends

MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW

Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman

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Infiniti QX80 specs

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The specs

AT4 Ultimate, as tested

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UK-EU trade at a glance

EU fishing vessels guaranteed access to UK waters for 12 years

Co-operation on security initiatives and procurement of defence products

Youth experience scheme to work, study or volunteer in UK and EU countries

Smoother border management with use of e-gates

Cutting red tape on import and export of food

The flights: South African Airways flies from Dubai International Airport with a stop in Johannesburg, with prices starting from around Dh4,000 return. Emirates can get you there with a stop in Lusaka from around Dh4,600 return.
The details: Visas are available for 247 Zambian kwacha or US$20 (Dh73) per person on arrival at Livingstone Airport. Single entry into Victoria Falls for international visitors costs 371 kwacha or $30 (Dh110). Microlight flights are available through Batoka Sky, with 15-minute flights costing 2,265 kwacha (Dh680).
Accommodation: The Royal Livingstone Victoria Falls Hotel by Anantara is an ideal place to stay, within walking distance of the falls and right on the Zambezi River. Rooms here start from 6,635 kwacha (Dh2,398) per night, including breakfast, taxes and Wi-Fi. Water arrivals cost from 587 kwacha (Dh212) per person.

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While you're here
Updated: May 08, 2025, 6:33 AM`