WANA (May 13) – Iran’s National Center for Cyberspace has announced plans to take legal action against Google for misrepresenting the historical name of the Persian Gulf, warning that the matter will be pursued through international forums.

 

Hossein Dalirian, spokesperson for the National Center for Cyberspace, strongly condemned what he called the distortion of the name “Persian Gulf” by international platforms, including Google.

 

“In recent days, some international platforms have unfortunately altered the historical and ancient name of the Persian Gulf,” Dalirian said. “This act has sparked strong reactions from the Iranian public and even prompted protests from some international figures.”

 

He asserted that the Center, as the authoritative body for cyberspace in Iran, officially objects to the use of “fabricated and illegitimate titles” for the Persian Gulf, describing such actions as a deliberate distortion of an established geographical and historical reality.

 

Dalirian emphasized that the name “Persian Gulf” has been consistently and universally used for thousands of years in historical documents, maps, and international treaties.

 

He noted that it has been formally recognized by reputable international institutions, including the United Nations Group of Experts on Geographical Names, which was established under UN ECOSOC Resolution 715.

 

According to these bodies, “Persian Gulf” is the only legitimate name for the body of water situated between the Iranian plateau and the Arabian Peninsula.

 

He also referred to the United Nations’ Eighth Conference on the Standardization of Geographical Names, which reaffirmed the historical, geographical, and legal validity of the name “Persian Gulf.”

 

“The Islamic Republic of Iran considers the use of fabricated names for the Persian Gulf an affront to its national identity and a violation of the principles outlined in Paragraph 3 of Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights,” Dalirian stated, referencing the clause that obligates respect for states’ rights in geographic naming.

 

The spokesperson concluded by announcing that the National Center for Cyberspace is preparing to initiate legal proceedings through relevant international channels.

 

To this end, a consultative and coordination meeting will soon be held, hosted by the Center’s legal department, with the participation of prominent legal experts and representatives from various Iranian legal institutions to examine the legal dimensions of the issue and ensure coordinated action.