US envoy accidentally blames Israel for 'chaos and terror' at UN before correcting to Iran

WASHINGTON

US Charge d’Affaires ad interim Dorothy Shea on Friday accidentally blamed Israel for "chaos and terror" at a UN meeting before correcting to Iran.

"Israel's government has also spread chaos, terror and suffering throughout the region," Shea told the Security Council, before she paused and re-read the sentence.

"Iran's government has also spread chaos, terror and suffering throughout the region," Shea continued.

Iran is "the principal source of instability and terror in the Middle East" as the leaders from the Group of Seven (G7) said earlier this week, she said.

"While the United States was not involved in Israel's strikes, let there be no doubt that the United States continues to stand with Israel and supports its actions against Iran's nuclear ambitions."

She claimed that Iran has all that it needs to achieve a nuclear weapon, which is "unacceptable."

"This Council must urge them to change course," she said, adding that the Iranian government "must abandon its nuclear ambitions so that there is no more destruction."

Israel has targeted nuclear and military sites and personnel since June 13, drawing retaliatory attacks from Iran.