A diplomatic commotion occurred on June 20, 2025, when U.S. Dorothy Shea, the charge d’affaires, unintentionally called Israel the cause of “chaos, terror, and suffering” in the Middle East.
She was discussing Iran’s role in regional instability when she made the inaccurate remark, “Israel’s government has also spread chaos, terror, and suffering throughout the region.” She quickly paused and clarified that she meant “Iran’s government.
” The blunder caused obvious surprise in the UN chamber and sparked quick reactions on social media and in the international media. Critics referred to the blunder as a “Freudian slip,” implying that it might have inadvertently revealed deeper annoyances or inconsistencies in American policy. Shea swiftly reiterated the US’s steadfast support for Israel and made it clear that the comments were made only about Iran’s government, specifically regarding its nuclear program and backing of proxy militias. The incident has garnered a lot of attention despite her explanation, with many analysts questioning whether the error was merely a verbal blunder or a sign of deeper diplomatic tensions. Although experts expect more damage control efforts in the days ahead, the U.S. State Department has yet to release an official statement in response to the outcry.
