Tehran, May 25 -- US President Donald Trump's now aborted move to rename the Persian Gulf as the 'Arabian Gulf' or 'Gulf of Arabia' stirred sharp condemnation from Iranian officials, who saw it as a politically charged attack on Iran's national identity and historical legacy.
The suggestion reportedly emerged ahead of Trump's visit to Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. Although never formalised, the plan drew immediate backlash from Tehran. Nasser Seraj, Deputy for International Affairs at Iran's Interior Ministry, labelled the idea "a violation of the cultural rights of nations" and "an assault on the Iranian people's historical identity."
Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi dismissed the proposed name change as "politically m...