The term Arabian Gulf is a geopolitical concept that refers to the body of water internationally and historically known as the Persian Gulf. This shallow marginal sea is an extension of the Arabian Sea and the larger Indian Ocean, located between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. It is connected to the Gulf of Oman by the narrow Strait of Hormuz. The Gulf is bordered by Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Oman (Musandam exclave).
The name Persian Gulf has been in use for over 2,600 years, dating back to ancient Greek geographers in the 5th century BCE, reflecting the dominance of the Persian Empire in the region. The alternative name, Arabian Gulf, emerged prominently in the 1960s with the rise of pan-Arabism and Arab nationalism, particularly promoted by Arab states along its southern coast. The shift was a political move to assert Arab identity and challenge the historical name.
The concept works as a point of geopolitical contention, where the choice of name signifies a political alignment. Arab governments and media often use Arabian Gulf or simply The Gulf. Conversely, Iran insists on the historical name, and the United Nations and the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) officially recognize the body of water as the Persian Gulf. The IHO lists the name as "Gulf of Iran (Persian Gulf)". The region is economically vital, holding nearly two-thirds of the world's crude oil reserves and a significant portion of natural gas reserves, which are exported through the Strait of Hormuz. The naming dispute has not changed the body of water's geography or its strategic importance as a global energy conduit.