Trump Jokingly Compared The US’ Attack On Iran To Pearl Harbor In Front Of Japan’s Prime Minister

US President Donald Trump made a joke about Pearl Harbor in front of Japanese prime minister Sanae Takaichi when asked about the recent US-Israeli airstrikes on Iran, drawing nervous laughter.

When asked why allies were not notified when the US and Israel launched their joint unprovoked attacks on Iran, igniting the war, Trump said in a press conference with Takaichi on Thursday, March 20, that the US wanted to maintain an element of surprise.

“We didn't tell anybody about it because we wanted surprise. Who knows better about surprise than Japan? Why didn't you tell me about Pearl Harbor?” Trump answered.

Laughter was briefly heard in the room before fading, while Takaichi appeared visibly uncomfortable, widening her eyes and shifting in her seat.

The Japanese Empire attacked the US military base at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii in 1941, killing more than 2,335 US soldiers and 68 civilians, prompting the US to enter World War II.

Former US President Franklin D. Roosevelt described the attack on the US as "a date which will live in infamy."

The war ended after the US dropped two atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki that killed hundreds of thousands of Japanese people.

Takaichi’s meeting with Trump at the Oval office came days after Trump asked allies to help secure the Strait of Hormuz, a vital passage for oil cargo, after Iran blocked the strait in response to the US and Israel’s attacks.

Japan, along with several European allies, said it would join "appropriate efforts” to help secure the Strait, but many countries have been critical of being drawn into a conflict they did not initiate.

Under its post-WWII constitution, Japan cannot use its military force to resolve international conflicts and can generally only assist allies if Japan itself is attacked.

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