Iran criticizes Google for nomenclature of the Persian Gulf

Iran has lashed out at Google for leaving a body of water separating the country from the Arabian peninsula nameless in Google Maps. Historically, the body of water has been referred to as the Persian Gulf; however, there is conflict between Iran and some Arab nations over its name. The Arab nations want the body of water to be called the Arabian Gulf. Google Maps has currently rendered the body of water nameless. According to the Fars News Agency, an Iranian news agency, the Persian Gulf's identity is an integral part of Iran's national identity. Furthermore, an Iranian official criticized Google for the misrepresentation of the area, saying that the company will lose respect and credibility in the Middle East. Deputy Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance. Bahman Dorri told the Islamic republic news agency, "Google fabricating lies... will not have any outcome but for its users to lose trust in the data the company provides. "Documents in the UN and the UNESCO show the name of this body of water has always been 'Persian Gulf' since a long time ago."

Problems of the Persian Gulf. Image courtesy: Persian Gulf Studies Center

The BBC has also reported that resentment had been growing in Iran over the lack of naming the area in Maps. The name has reportedly stirred controversy over the years between Iranians and Arabs as to which name should be used to name the region, either the Arabian Gulf or the Persian Gulf. The BBC reports that up until a few days ago, Google had named the body of water the Persian Gulf, but now the body of water stands nameless. A Google representative told the BBC that not only did they name every place in the world, but the company also does not want to take a political stance in the middle of a feud. On Google Earth, however, the name of the body of water still exists as the Arabian Gulf. The issue is currently extremely heated, which is potentially the reason behind Google's removal of the name. Dorri said in reference to the United States, "The efforts of the (global) arrogance and its Arab allies to remove the name of the Persian Gulf will result in its name becoming more durable."