Iran to ban airlines not using the term 'Persian Gulf'

[grumbler]

That's what I don't understand - I didn't think that Iran liked the terms "Persia" and "Persian", which is why they campaigned under the Shah to get the world to call the country "Iran" instead of "Persia"? Is it because they consider the Gulf to be named for the province of Persis rather than the country? That seems rather strange to me.

Persia refers to an ethnicity, while Iran refers to a polity.  The Persian Gulf is named for the people who lived on its northern shore (and who reported its existence to the Greeks).  I think the IHO also allows the use of the name "Gulf of Iran," though.

[alfred russel]

It's not just Iran.  Iran was the host of the Islamic Solidarity games this year.  Well they were until the Saudis and a bunch of other Arabs pulled out over the use of the name 'Persian Gulf' on maps and medals.

I'd offer them a third way--as the country that actually controls the gulf with its airforce carriers, call it the American Gulf.

[MadImmortalMan]

How about "The Gulf Surrounded by Crappy Countries"?

[Barrister]

The Gulf Formerly Known as the Persian Gulf (TGFKATPG for short).

Hey if it worked for FYROM...

[DGuller]

No wonder Arabs hate us.  All our names for the wars in Iraq contain "Persian Gulf" or just "Gulf".

[CountDeMoney]

ZOMG BUT THEYRE CHANGING THE GRENE REVOLUTION SHOWED US LAST YEAR AND THE REGIME WILL TOPPEL AT ANY MOMOENT AND THEYRE ALL UNDER 25 AND

[Zanza]

Korea and Japan are similarly anal about the sea between them, so it is not limited to Middle Easterners.

[Admiral Yi]

Korea and Japan are similarly anal about the sea between them, so it is not limited to Middle Easterners.

Korea doesn't really expect anyone else to call it The East Sea.

[Barrister]

ZOMG BUT THEYRE CHANGING THE GRENE REVOLUTION SHOWED US LAST YEAR AND THE REGIME WILL TOPPEL AT ANY MOMOENT AND THEYRE ALL UNDER 25 AND

[garbon]

ZOMG BUT THEYRE CHANGING THE GRENE REVOLUTION SHOWED US LAST YEAR AND THE REGIME WILL TOPPEL AT ANY MOMOENT AND THEYRE ALL UNDER 25 AND

[Warspite]

Korea and Japan are similarly anal about the sea between them, so it is not limited to Middle Easterners.

Korea doesn't really expect anyone else to call it The East Sea.

No, but Korean pressure groups do. Like the ones who started a mass letter writing campaign against one of my old Economic History professors because of the map on his overhead projector transparencies. 

[Admiral Yi]

No, but Korean pressure groups do. Like the ones who started a mass letter writing campaign against one of my old Economic History professors because of the map on his overhead projector transparencies. 

Presumably *after* they had recieved their UK indoctrination in political correctness and the empowerment of oppressed minorities.

[HisMajestyBOB]

Korea and Japan are similarly anal about the sea between them, so it is not limited to Middle Easterners.

Korea doesn't really expect anyone else to call it The East Sea.

No, but Korean pressure groups do. Like the ones who started a mass letter writing campaign against one of my old Economic History professors because of the map on his overhead projector transparencies. 

At least they haven't banned airlines from flying to Korea because of it.
Now Dokdo, on the other hand...

[Viking]

We should get the North Sea renamed the South Sea. Plus start insisting that the Turks replace Istanbul with Mikligarður.

[Eddie Teach]

The Gulf Formerly Known as the Persian Gulf (TGFKATPG for short).

Hey if it worked for FYROM...

So everybody will just continue calling it the Persian Gulf except international organizations trying to suck up to the Arabs.