Iran, Qatar Leaders Argue Over Gulf Name

He seems to have this thing about maps and what appears on them.

I dread to think what will happen when he tries satnav. He'll spend the whole journey arguing with the voice giving directions ...

To be fair, Iran has only threatened retaliatory defensive actions against nations whose intelligence and military services assist in an offensive strike against that country (Iran). Further, the US tends to bomb nations when we don't get our way... Iran, not so much. I won't take a position on whether that's good or bad, but it is a fact. Even considering Iranian support of Hezbollah, I'd bet that the US has financed more insurgencies, paramilitary forces, and other less-than-democratic-or-even-humane-groups than Iran has ever had an inclination to support.

Considering the reaction of certain right-of-center groups in this nation to a Spanish version of the National Anthem, we should tread more lightly when a foreign country defends it own historic and cultural identity.

Simply, the equation should balance. We wouldn't accept another country renaming our territorial waters. How can we demand that another country accept what we would not?

I quess mention anything Iran and up jumps the boogie man.

Iran's threat to wipe Israel off the map was not conditioned on Israel striking first.

And by the way, it's called the Gulf of Texas, not the Gulf of Mexico.

Dear People,

What makes that body of water "Persian" is not that Iran hates everybody and wants to wipe nations off the face of the globe. In the international law, the costal length plus historical references make up the bases for naming geographic waters.
In case of Persian Gulf, Iran or also known as Persia has longest costal line with this body than any tiny nation south of Persian Gulf. During our three thousand years as a nation, people, historians, empires, maps all referred to this body as Persian Gulf.
Naming is very important when it comes to national identity. Let's take the example of Gulf of Mexico. It's referred to as such because Mexico has the longest shoreline with that gulf south of US. So should the US refer to it as States gulf or American gulf? No, simply because that's not how it works.
Ok beside few facts of geography and geo-politics; I should mention that not long time a go America was one of Iran's supporter when it came to the topic of our heritage and history. But now after 27 years we became worst enemies. That's why fellow Americans here and on other forums have such hostilities toward us. But let me tell you that most Iranians or Persian if you prefer, have nothing against you and often defend you in international arenas, don't mix our government with us, as we try not to mix you with your government.