Iran, the world’s worst oppressor of internet freedom, has ironically been complaining about Google’s omission of the Persian Gulf name in its map of the region.
Iran accused Google of lacking credibility on Saturday after noticing that the word ‘Persian Gulf’ was omitted from its map of the area. Below is a similar map from 1994, which would likely get an O.K. in Iran:
Bahman Dorri, a deputy in Culture and Islamic Guidance Ministry, asserts, “Google is fabricating lies – will not have any outcome but for its users to lose trust in the data the company provides.” Other Arab countries in the region typically refer to the body of water as the “Arabian Gulf” or simply “the Gulf.” But Iran likes to say “Persian Gulf,” and Dorri adds, “The enemies cannot hide facts and evidence about the Persian Gulf. Documents in the UN and the UNESCO show the name of this body of water has always been ‘Persian Gulf’ since a long time ago.”
Iran points out that as long as other countries, including the U.S., refuse to call the gulf the “Persian Gulf,” the name will basically become more legendary. Iran also doesn’t pilots who mention the words “Arabian Gulf” on in-flight monitors to fly in its airspace.
In related news, I too am sick of Google lying to me.