My, you certainly are a geographically-gifted bunny.
In the spirit of empiricism, how 'bout you try this: Next time you transit the area and you are "checkin' in" with Bahrein, Kuwait, Doha, Abu Dhabi or Riyadh ATC, include in your transmission the information that your position is over the Persian Gulf. It seems likely they will help you with your confusion - perhaps with an object lesson.