Naming the Persian Gulf

The Roots of a Political Controversy

Reference to either the Persian Gulf or the Arabian Gulf is a source of heavy controversy and tension between Iranians and Arabs, with diplomatic repercussions. The nomenclature is an important element of strategic uncertainty in the region. Kourosh Ahmadi reviews the issue from an Iranian perspective and favours retaining Persian Gulf as the standard term. He presents a serious argument that considers cartographic and historical points of view and factors in geopolitical competition in the region and beyond since the 1950s as well as the rise of Gulf Arab state influence on academics, businesses and the media.