Pal refusing to swim in Asian sea (7,4)

I believe the answer is:

persian gulf

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'asian sea' is the definition.
'Persian Gulf' can be an answer for 'sea' (Persian Gulf is an example). I'm unsure of the 'asian' bit.

'pal refusing to swim' is the wordplay.
'to swim' indicates an anagram.
'pal'+'refusing'='palrefusing'
'palrefusing' anagrammed gives 'PERSIAN GULF'.

'in' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for persian gulf that I've seen before include "Arm of Arabian Sea between Iran and Saudi Arabia" , "Water between Iran and Saudi Arabia" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.

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