Is Helpful To United States Interests When Secretary Of State Michael Richard Pompeo Selectively Uses "Islamic Republic"

The Honorable Michael Richard Pompeo, United States Secretary of State, references the “Islamic Republic of Iran” as a pejorative to express contempt and disapproval.

Does this descriptive serve the interests of the United States? It suggests a strategy to convey contempt for Iran, but may also convey a more general contempt for the 1.9 billion Muslims (24% of the world’s population) who follow the teachings of Islam.   

The United States Department of State on its Internet site references the “Islamic regime in Iran” and “Iran” and “Islamic Republic of Iran.” 

The words “Islamic Republic” are not used by the United States Department of State on its Internet site to describe Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Mauritania which are, along with Iran, the only four countries that officially use “Islamic Republic” in their names. 

The Islamic Republic of Afghanistan was established on 7 December 2004, the Islamic Republic of Pakistan was established on 23 March 1956, the Islamic Republic of Mauritania was established on 28 November 1960, and the Islamic Republic of Iran was established on 1 April 1979.  The combined populations of the four countries is 345.3 million.

“Islamic” refers to the teachings of Islam.  A “Muslim” a follower of the religion of Islam.   

There are more than 1.9 billion followers of Islam representing approximately 24% of the world’s population of 7.75 billion.  Depending upon criteria measurements, there are forty-five to fifty Muslim-majority countries.  There are 193 members of the United Nations.  There are approximately 3.5 million Muslims in the United States. 

Countries with the largest Muslim populations: Indonesia, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nigeria, Egypt, Iran, Turkey, Algeria, Sudan, Iraq, Morocco, Afghanistan, and Saudi Arabia.  

The Honorable Donald Trump, President of the United States, references “Iran” when writing and speaking.  On 31 December 2019, The White House published a 7,109-word statement, “President Donald J. Trump Has Delivered Record Breaking Results For The American People In His First Three Years In Office.”  “Iran” is mentioned four (4) times.  The “Islamic Republic of Iran” is not mentioned.  

Does Secretary Pompeo’s descriptive of Iran, while avoiding the descriptive when referencing the four other countries officially known as Islamic Republics, assist the United States with its commercial, economic and political relationships with Muslims?

If a measure is the number of Muslim majority countries whose governments have voluntarily and enthusiastically supported decisions of the United States impacting Iran, and whose foreign ministers have adopted the use of “Islamic Republic of Iran” then thus far the verbal declaration has been unsuccessful.