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Trump calls Japan the 'Islamic Republic of Japan' in NATO remarks

cultureJul 9, 202610816,072

At a NATO summit press session in Ankara on July 8, 2026, President Donald Trump said "We had 111 missiles shot by the Islamic Republic of Japan," claiming those missiles were fired at the U.S.S. Abraham Lincoln and largely intercepted by Patriot systems. Trump appeared to be describing an earlier attack by Iranian forces but instead misattributed the strike to Japan, a U.S. ally that has not fought the United States in nearly a century. While seated beside Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Trump also asked reporters if they had "a question for President Putin," prompting laughter in the room. Speaking alongside NATO chief Mark Rutte, Trump declared the ceasefire his negotiators struck with the Islamic Republic of Iran to be over, called Iranian leaders "scum," and said the U.S. might "probably hit Iran hard again tonight." The article notes U.S. Central Command said it struck more than 60 IRGC small boats and Washington revoked a license allowing Iran to sell oil; Iranian media reported explosions on Kharg Island, Qeshm Island, Sirik, and Bandar Abbas. Trump also suggested the U.S. could try to seize Kharg Island and reinstate a blockade on Tehran's ports.

Aaron Rupar
@atrupar.com

Trump: "We had 11 missiles shot by the Islamic Republic of Japan"

7814Yesterday
Ishmael, The Transition will be Live
@comrade-ishmael.bsky.social

"Islamic Republic of Japan" implies one of the greatest fusion cuisines in human history.

234522h ago
Forbes
@forbes.com

Trump also referred to the “Islamic Republic of Iran” as the “Islamic Republic of Japan.”

143119h ago
Adam Schwarz
@adamjschwarz.bsky.social

Trump says the "Islamic Republic of Japan" fired 111 missiles at the USS Abraham Lincoln two months.

139Yesterday
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