08.07.2026 18:00
An incredible slip-up by US President Donald Trump during a live broadcast marked the historic NATO Leaders Summit hosted by Turkey. Appearing before cameras alongside Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Trump used the phrase 'Islamic Republic of Japan' while describing tensions with Iran, making a blunder that will go down in diplomatic history.
The giant NATO Summit, which Türkiye is hosting again after 22 years, continues to be the scene of one of the most critical diplomatic meetings in recent years. On the second day of the summit, the moment the whole world was fixated on was the bilateral meeting between US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, held open to the press.
HE BOTH THREATENED AND CONFUSED COUNTRIES
During the meeting, Trump, responding to journalists' questions about the escalating military tension in the Middle East and the Strait of Hormuz, issued harsh messages towards Iran while making an unfortunate gaffe. The US President stated the following:
"They are being very naughty. We hit them very hard. They need to wise up. We attacked with drones and a missile. They attacked ships. We will probably strike tonight."
SCANDALOUS STATEMENT IN DIPLOMATIC HISTORY
Unable to contain himself while talking about the attacks, Trump confused Iran with Japan, uttering the phrase "The Islamic Republic of Japan attacked our aircraft carrier" live on air.
The US President's saying "Islamic Republic of Japan" instead of "Islamic Republic of Iran" caused astonishment among diplomats in the hall and viewers on screen, while the footage of those moments quickly went viral internationally, becoming a subject of ridicule in the press and social media.