Google Uses "Arabian Gulf" Instead of "Persian"
May 8, 2025, 11:50 am

غوغل يعتمد اسم "الخليج العربي" بدلاً من الفارسي

Iranian media reports today, Thursday, stated that the Google Maps application "changed the name of the Persian Gulf to the name of the Arabian Gulf," sparking widespread controversy in geographical and political circles, especially within Iran.

According to user reports in the Middle East, search results in some versions of the app now display the name "Arabian Gulf," whether using the term "Arabian Gulf" or "Persian Gulf," indicating an implicit change in the designation of this vital waterway.

Google has not yet issued any official comment regarding this change, which recalls former U.S. President Donald Trump's statements, who previously proposed replacing the name "Persian Gulf" with "Arabian Gulf."

In response, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi described this change as an act of hostile politics, lacking any legal or geographical legitimacy, warning that such steps would escalate popular anger inside and outside Iran.

It is worth noting that Iran threatened in 2012 to sue Google because of its disregard for using the name "Persian Gulf." Meanwhile, Google Maps in the United States show the dual name "Persian Gulf (Arabian Gulf)," while Apple Maps only use the name "Persian Gulf."

Trump Burns the World in One Hundred Days: The Modern Deep State Swallows the Old Regime India and Pakistan: Threats, Military Responses, and Escalatory Actions

BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, has sponsored the BuildHer CityHack 2025 Hackathon, a two-day event spearheaded by the College of Engineering and Technology at the Royal University for Women (RUW).
Aimed at secondary school students, the event brought together a distinguished group of academic professionals and technology experts to mentor and inspire young participants.
More than 100 high school students from across the Kingdom of Bahrain took part in the hackathon, which featured an intensive programme of training workshops and hands-on sessions. These activities were tailored to enhance participants’ critical thinking, collaborative problem-solving, and team-building capabilities, while also encouraging the development of practical and sustainable solutions to contemporary challenges using modern technological tools.
BENEFIT’s Chief Executive Mr. Abdulwahed AlJanahi, commented: “Our support for this educational hackathon reflects our long-term strategic vision to nurture the talents of emerging national youth and empower the next generation of accomplished female leaders in technology. By fostering creativity and innovation, we aim to contribute meaningfully to Bahrain’s comprehensive development goals and align with the aspirations outlined in the Kingdom’s Vision 2030—an ambition in which BENEFIT plays a central role.”
Professor Riyadh Yousif Hamzah, President of the Royal University for Women, commented: “This initiative reflects our commitment to advancing women in STEM fields. We're cultivating a generation of creative, solution-driven female leaders who will drive national development. Our partnership with BENEFIT exemplifies the powerful synergy between academia and private sector in supporting educational innovation.”
Hanan Abdulla Hasan, Senior Manager, PR & Communication at BENEFIT, said: “We are honoured to collaborate with RUW in supporting this remarkable technology-focused event. It highlights our commitment to social responsibility, and our ongoing efforts to enhance the digital and innovation capabilities of young Bahraini women and foster their ability to harness technological tools in the service of a smarter, more sustainable future.”
For his part, Dr. Humam ElAgha, Acting Dean of the College of Engineering and Technology at the University, said: “BuildHer CityHack 2025 embodies our hands-on approach to education. By tackling real-world problems through creative thinking and sustainable solutions, we're preparing women to thrive in the knowledge economy – a cornerstone of the University's vision.”