Iran threatens to sue Google over geography

Iran has threatened to sue Google after the search engine giant dropped the name of the Persian Gulf from its online map. / Google

(CBS/AP) Iran is rarely shy about facing off against the West, whether the subject is its controversial nuclear program, threats to choke off Europe's oil supply or generally inflammatory rhetoric toward Israel.

The latest thorn in the Islamic Republic's side: geography.

Its foe: Google.

Iran threatened the Internet giant with a lawsuit after the search engine dropped the name of the Persian Gulf on Google Maps.

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Foreign Ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast said that if Google does not restore the name of the Persian Gulf, it will face "serious damages."

Mehmanparast told the semiofficial Mehr news agency Thursday that Tehran has already warned Google of possible legal action.

Iranians are highly sensitive about the name of the body of water, which lies between Iran and the Arabian Peninsula and has historically and internationally been known as the Persian Gulf.

Some Arab states insist on calling it the Arabian Gulf. The issue has stirred up tensions between Iranians and Arabs.

[TheThinker99]

Just checked Google Earth. It has both Persian Gulf and Arabian Gulf on that body of water. Come on Google, have some fun here. Call the gulf the "Invader's Route To Persia." Call the country occupying Persia "The Mullahs' Dictatorship of Persia," that is what it is.

[euge005]

I would not call it the Arabian Gulf since their is no more freedom in Saudi Arabia than there is in Crazy Mullahland. Call it the gulf of no return.

[mylilelar]

What's in a name anyway. My parents met in Intercourse,Pennsylvania,married in Climax,Saskatchewan and lived in Walla Walla,Washington. Big deal.

[AOCGUY]

Google to Iran - "Make Me"

[TheprofromDover]

I wish Google would label it "Gulf of Women's Rights, Homosexual Tolerance and Jewish Appreciation."

[AmazingGrce]

Come on let's have some fun Google - label it Gulf of Arabia. That ought to start a real fight. ;-)

[Ourdoc1]

We should let them go with the law suit, right after we freeze and take all their assets...

[forumcomments]

Make the name change conditional on stopping all nuclear enrichment.

[micmac666]

Please change the map per their demand and rename the country "Persia" while you're at it, just for fun.

[chroniccomplainer]

This could be it.. Iran is massing troops at the border. Google is tasking its mapping satellites closer. Obama is quaking and shaking. But Biden seems oblivious to it all. Not to worry folks..

[Jim1900]

Mitt would invade the wrong country, just like W.