US President Donald Trump is about to abruptly leave the G7 summit in Canada, just hours after he called for the evacuation of Tehran on social media.
Trump urged the Iranian leadership to sign an agreement to limit its nuclear program, while Israel said it would continue to strike. About an hour later, Trump announced a change of plan.
White House Press Secretary Caroline Levitt said that Trump’s trip to Washington was “to handle many important matters,” and in a subsequent post on X, she stated that Trump’s departure was due to “what’s happening in the Middle East.”
It remains unclear whether Trump was aware of Israel’s possible plan to launch a new round of attacks on the city with a population of over 9 million, and it is also unknown what follow-up actions the US will take after the president returns to Washington. Despite Trump’s sudden announcement, it is expected that he will attend a dinner before leaving the summit on Monday night.
Israel had previously warned the residents of a community in Tehran to evacuate. Video footage showed severe traffic congestion as people attempted to leave. Shortly after Trump’s tweet, the Iranian Fars News Agency reported multiple explosions in the eastern part of the city.
Iran should have signed the “deal” that I wanted them to sign, Trump wrote on social media. “It’s a disgrace, a total waste of time. In short, Iran cannot have nuclear weapons. I’ve said it over and over again! Everyone should leave Tehran immediately!”
In another Truth Social post, Trump seemed to hit back at Republican-leaning critics who have warned the US against getting involved in Israel’s potential military action against Iran. In a post, he wrote: “America First means many great things, including that Iran cannot have nuclear weapons.”
Trump’s remarks shook the market. U.S. stock index futures edged lower, while crude oil contracts erased their losses.
Earlier that day, Trump had said that Iran wanted to reach an agreement and that “as soon as I leave here, we will take action.” But he did not provide more details.
French President Emmanuel Macron said that Trump’s early departure from the G7 summit might mean positive progress in the ongoing conflict between Iran and Israel.
Macron told reporters in Alberta, “If the United States can achieve a ceasefire, that would be a good thing.”
White House spokesperson Alex R. Pincher denied on social media that the United States would join Israel in a military attack on Iran.
In his post to X, he stated: “The US military maintains a defensive posture, and this has not changed.”
China has warned that the conflict between Iran and Israel could spread instability more widely in the Middle East. Foreign Minister Wang Yi has made contact with both countries as the days-long conflict between them shows no sign of ending.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiaxun said at a regular press conference on Monday: “If the conflict between Israel and Iran continues to escalate and even spread, other countries in the Middle East will inevitably be the first to be affected. China will continue to maintain communication with all relevant parties, encourage peace talks and prevent further regional instability.”
Previously, China had condemned Israel’s attack on Iran. The attack by Israel began last week and both sides have continued to take military actions. China’s stance contrasts sharply with that of US President Donald Trump. Trump refused to join the G7’s statement urging de-escalation of the conflict and called on Iran to withdraw from the capital Tehran, which shocked the market.
In the past 24 hours, Iran launched multiple waves of drones and missiles, while Israel continued to attack Tehran, killing a senior military official and attacking the national television building during live broadcast, causing a fire.
This simultaneous missile launch is the most serious escalation after years of covert warfare. Analysts are concerned that it could push the Middle East into regional conflict, causing more widespread casualties and potentially disrupting energy flows and important trade routes.
The Chinese Embassy in Israel issued a statement saying that Beijing advised its citizens to leave Israel as soon as possible through land borders.
