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Trump Mixes Japan, Ukraine in Gaffe, Escalates Iran Tensions

7/9/2026

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Summary

Story summary

President Donald Trump mistakenly called Japan the “Islamic Republic of Japan” and confused Zelensky with Putin at a briefing in Ankara.
He claimed 111 missiles from the “Islamic Republic of Japan” hit the USS Abraham Lincoln and were all intercepted, a claim later deemed false.
He called Iranian leaders “sick people,” warned of U.S. strike that night, after the United States revoked Iran oil-sale license and hit 60 IRGC boats.

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Story summary

President Donald Trump mistakenly called Japan the “Islamic Republic of Japan” and confused Zelensky with Putin at a briefing in Ankara.
He claimed 111 missiles from the “Islamic Republic of Japan” hit the USS Abraham Lincoln and were all intercepted, a claim later deemed false.
He called Iranian leaders “sick people,” warned of U.S. strike that night, after the United States revoked Iran oil-sale license and hit 60 IRGC boats.