Persian Gulf

The world's first written reference to the name of the waterway that separates Iran from the Arabian Peninsula can be traced back approximately 2,500 years, during the reign of Darius the Achaemenid. In his epitaph, Darius referred to this body of water as the "Persian Sea." This historical mention marks the beginning of a long-standing tradition of naming this vital waterway, which has consistently been referred to as the Persian Gulf in various historical documents and records. Over the centuries, synonymous names have emerged, but the term "Persian Gulf" remains predominant. It is noteworthy that prior to the rise of fanatical and extremist Arab nationalism, particularly before 1958, the correct designation of this waterway-al-Khalij al-Farsī (الخليج الفارسی)-was naturally utilized in all Arabic documents and records. This historical context underscores the longstanding recognition of the name "Persian Gulf" across cultures and languages.