Distortation of Persian Gulf Name on Google Maps
Renamed "Gulf" to "Arabian Gulf" on Google Maps; The reactions in Iran rose up
Google Map software has used the name "al -Khalij al -Arabi" instead of the Persian Gulf for users in the Middle East. From now on, the name "Arabian Gulf" is shown when searching for this blue zone in the program.
This change was simultaneously with US President Donald Trump's trip to the Middle East, scheduled to take place next week.
In a controversial move, Google has changed the historical name of the Persian Gulf in some regional versions to the Arab Gulf in a recent update to Google Maps. The move, which has received a sharp response from Iranian users and many cultural and media institutions in the country, has launched a wave of criticism in cyberspace and the media.
Iranian users have released images and videos of various versions of Google Maps to delete or rename "Persian Gulf" and have called it "obvious distortions of history" and "disrespect for Iranian national identity". Google has not officially explained it yet.
This is not the first time Google has been naming this strategic waterway. In recent years, similar measures have been taken by the company, which was followed by the official protest of the Iranian government. In year 4, Google had threatened to complain from Iran due to the removal of the name "Persian Gulf" from its plans.
Some news sources have also reported that the move may be related to the new US political approach in the region. In this regard, rumors of the US government's decision to officially use the "Arabian Gulf" instead of the Persian Gulf have been released in diplomatic circles.
Currently, Iranian users have been calling for the historic and official name of the Persian Gulf to return to the platform by launching virtual campaigns and calling for Google Maps.
According to the Associated Press, Trump plans to change the name "Gulf" within the United States to the "Arab Gulf" or "Arab Gulf" during her trip to Riyadh.
The Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Arakchi has described such a decision as a "political and hostile motivation".
In the United States, Google's maps now show the name "Arab Gulf" instead of "Persian Gulf". Apple maps also use the same title.
Iran had threatened to complain to Google in 2012 for removing the name of this blue zone.
