Iran News Roundup: June 25, 2012
Escalation, Counter-Escalation, and Repeat The editor-in-chief of the hardline Iranian newspaper, Kayhan, argues that Iran can restrict oil tankers’ access to the Strait of Hormuz based on a “’right of retaliation’” under the 1958 Convention on the Territorial Sea after the implementation of an EU oil embargo. The paper’s editor, who is appointed by Iran’s […]
Tell Google: Stop playing Persian Gulf name games!
If you have visited Google Maps recently, you may have noticed that Google has removed the title of the Persian Gulf—leaving the body of water without a name. This follows Google’s 2008 decision to include the historically inaccurate and politically charged name “Arabian Gulf” alongside “Persian Gulf” in their Google Earth application. The name “Persian Gulf” is historically accurate, legally acknowledged, apolitical […]
NIAC Calls on Google to Reinstate Accurate Title for Persian Gulf
The National Iranian American Council (NIAC) calls on Google to immediately reinstate the name “Persian Gulf” in its Google Maps application and to ensure all of its informational products include the historically accurate, internationally recognized, and politically neutral title for the Persian Gulf.
The US Navy’s Dangerous Name Game in the Persian Gulf
In a move that threatens to exacerbate tensions in a region already pushed to the brink, the US Navy recently circulated an official directive to its personnel to refer to the Persian Gulf by the propaganda term “Arabian Gulf.”
Fueling Ethnic Tensions in the Persian Gulf is Not a Strategy for Middle East Stability
Washington risks entering into a game of escalating provocations with Tehran even as continuing efforts to restart talks in November are underway. Iran’s announcement that the two US hikers being held Evin prison will now face trial just ahead of the talks is no coincidence. The move is particularly shameful considering that these US citizens […]
Leverage Through Sanctions Not a Long-Term Strategy
Last week, the U.S took a page out of its well-worn foreign policy playbook and imposed new sanctions on North Korea. The similarities between the U.S approach to North Korea and Iran are striking, centering on a strategy of sanctions, isolation, and containment. It can be argued that the U.S has had more success isolating North […]
Arab FM Blasts Iran’s “Occupation” of Gulf Islands
Last week, UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah blasted Iran’s claims of ownership over three islands in the Persian Gulf, comparing the situation to Israel’s occupation of Palestinian land: Occupation of any Arab land is occupation … Israeli occupation of Golan Heights, southern Lebanon, West Bank or Gaza is called occupation and no Arab land is […]
NIAC protests US military’s use of the incorrect term “Arabian Gulf”
In his April 1 testimony before the Senate Armed Services Committee, America’s commander of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan used the politically divisive term “Arabian Gulf” several times. NIAC has learned that General David Petraeus’ usage of this term is reflective of official US military policy, despite the recognition by all other US Government agencies that this term is incorrect.
Congress introduces bipartisan resolution on naval talks with Iran
As we reported earlier (albeit prematurely…), Rep. John Conyers (D-MI) and Rep. Geoff Davis (R-KY) introduced a resolution today calling on President Obama to negotiate a military-to-military agreement with Iran for avoiding an accidental war in the Persian Gulf. Full text of resolution available here. Check out our original post and analysis here. And most […]
Just when things were looking up…
Iran has announced the opening of a new naval base just east of the Persian Gulf, strategically located near the Strait of Hormuz, the world’s most important oil chokepoint. The Iranian naval chief, Admiral Habibollah Sayyari, has said that this move was intended to “enable Iran to block the entry of an enemy into the […]
What Do Google and Saddam Have in Common?
Google has a funny way of doing business — one that involves muddying politics in the Middle East. In recent months, the organization has taken the unprecedented step to rename internationally recognized bodies of water. Google Earth has begun using the controversial term “Arabian Gulf” to the body of water traditionally and internationally identified as […]
Fallon’s Retirement has unclear implications for US-Iran War
On Tuesday, the Pentagon announced that Admiral William Fallon, the 41-year navy veteran and commander of US Central Command (CentCom) requested permission to retire, and that Secretary Gates approved his request. Last week, Thomas Barnett of Esquire Magazine published a revealing piece speculating that Fallon might be pushed out because he “was the strongest man […]