Donald Trump: I don't want to hurt anyone's feelings

In response to the controversial reaction to the name change of the Persian Gulf, Donald Trump said: "I don't want to hurt anyone's feelings."

The publication of the Associated Press report on changing the name of the Persian Gulf to the Arabian Gulf has sparked widespread reactions from Iranians around the world. The news network announced in its report on Wednesday, May 7: "Donald Trump plans to use the name Arabian Gulf instead of Persian Gulf during his visit to Saudi Arabia. Donald Trump, in response to a reporter's question on the issue, said that he has not yet made a final decision but will announce it soon."

Donald Trump, who is scheduled to travel to Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar from May 13 to 16, told reporters at the White House yesterday: "I expect my hosts to ask me to call the United States the Persian Gulf the Arabian Gulf. When I get there, they will ask me about it and I will have to make a decision."

Trump's remarks about using the Arabian Gulf instead of the Persian Gulf caused Iranians inside and outside the country, including ordinary people, politicians, officials, artists, regime elements, etc., to react very strongly to his statements. By publishing various posts on social media, they reminded that the Persian Gulf is not just a name, but a historical reality and national identity of Iran, and they will stand up to defend this heritage.

Despite Donald Trump's controversial use of the name "Arabian Gulf" in a speech in 2017 (his first term as president), he has reiterated and announced the name change. He has now responded to the backlash over the decision, saying, "I don't want to hurt anyone's feelings. I don't know if anyone's feelings will be hurt." His decision has sparked a backlash not only from Iranians around the world, but also from some countries.

He had previously caused widespread reactions from Mexico and other countries by officially changing the name of the "Gulf of Mexico" to "Gulf of the United States," but not only did he not back down from his decision, but he also issued an executive order to document and legalize it. In his office at the White House, Trump pointed to a map of the Gulf of Mexico and said: "I have a file here called the Gulf of the United States. I think a lot of people get ideas from us, but the Gulf of the United States is a place that I think should have been named that years ago."

His remarks come at a time when Arab countries bordering the Persian Gulf have been trying for years to change the name of the Persian Gulf to the Arabian Gulf, but have not succeeded.

Mohammad Ali Abtahi, vice president of former Iranian President Mohammad Khatami, wrote in response to the report: "If a name other than the Persian Gulf comes out of Mr. Trump's mouth, he will become the strongest factor in uniting the Iranian people at home and abroad, supporters and opponents of the opposition, old and young, and those opposed to and in favor of negotiations with America will also stand together."

Reactions to Donald Trump's remarks continue a day later. The Associated Press report also states: "Although Donald Trump can determine what name the United States uses for the Persian Gulf in its official documents, he cannot determine or dictate such a thing to other countries."