Last month, Iran banned the sale of National Geographic Society publications to protest against the"Arabian Gulf" inclusion. The issue has also caused widespread protests by Iranian intellectuals, historians, students and expatriate Iranians. Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi, who inaugurated the exhibition of ancient and historical maps, said the name of the Persian Gulf could not be changed."Presenting historical evidences here is merely for the sake of reiteration," he said. National Geographic said it recognised Persian Gulf as the primary name but used Arabian Gulf alongside it to make is easier for users searching for that designation.