Middle East
People walk in front of a building bearing flags of Arab nations on its facacde in Basra on January 5, 2023. Photo: Ahmad al-Rubaye/AFP
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Iran on Wednesday summoned Iraq’s ambassador to Tehran over the use of the phrase “Arabian Gulf Cup” to refer to the regional competition currently taking place in Basra, days after Iranian lawmakers accused Arabian countries of trying to “falsify history,” claiming that the Gulf has historically been referred to as “Persian”.
“Although we have strategic, fraternal and deep relations with Iraq, we clearly expressed our protest on this issue and summoned the Iraqi ambassador to Tehran to the Foreign Ministry,” Iranian state media cited Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian as saying.
The foreign minister added that the purpose of the summoning was to emphasize the Iranian people’s “great sensitivity” towards using the “precise and complete term for the Persian Gulf.”
The subject was discussed during a session of the Iranian parliament on Sunday, with MPs denouncing Iraqi authorities’ usage of the “fake name,” and calling on a number of top Iraqi officials and religious leaders to apologize for doing so.
“I want those who use the fake name Arab Gulf in Arab countries to study history. The Persian Gulf is, has always been, and will always be Persian,” MP Alireza Salimi was cited by Iranian state media as saying.
The 25th Gulf Cup, hosted in Iraq’s southern city of Basra, commenced on Friday with an impressive opening ceremony attended by local and regional officials as well as FIFA President Gianni Infantino.
The Gulf Cup tournament has historically been called the Arabian Gulf Cup since its inception in 1970. Iran has never participated in the competition.
Despite Iran’s intentions to file a complaint to FIFA regarding this subject, the Gulf Cup is not officially recognized by the international football association.
“Although we have strategic, fraternal and deep relations with Iraq, we clearly expressed our protest on this issue and summoned the Iraqi ambassador to Tehran to the Foreign Ministry,” Iranian state media cited Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian as saying.
The foreign minister added that the purpose of the summoning was to emphasize the Iranian people’s “great sensitivity” towards using the “precise and complete term for the Persian Gulf.”
The subject was discussed during a session of the Iranian parliament on Sunday, with MPs denouncing Iraqi authorities’ usage of the “fake name,” and calling on a number of top Iraqi officials and religious leaders to apologize for doing so.
“I want those who use the fake name Arab Gulf in Arab countries to study history. The Persian Gulf is, has always been, and will always be Persian,” MP Alireza Salimi was cited by Iranian state media as saying.
The 25th Gulf Cup, hosted in Iraq’s southern city of Basra, commenced on Friday with an impressive opening ceremony attended by local and regional officials as well as FIFA President Gianni Infantino.
The Gulf Cup tournament has historically been called the Arabian Gulf Cup since its inception in 1970. Iran has never participated in the competition.
Despite Iran’s intentions to file a complaint to FIFA regarding this subject, the Gulf Cup is not officially recognized by the international football association.
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