Trump Abruptly Leaves G7 Amid Escalating Israel-Iran Conflict, Urges Immediate Evacuation of Tehran

President Donald Trump abruptly departed from the G7 Summit in Canada on Monday evening, citing the rapidly deteriorating situation between Israel and Iran. The president’s sudden exit came just hours after he issued a stark warning on his Truth Social platform, calling for the immediate evacuation of Tehran, Iran’s capital.

The urgent message and Trump’s rapid return to Washington underscored mounting global anxiety over the Israel-Iran conflict, which has reached a dangerous new phase after direct Israeli strikes on Iranian soil.

“Everyone Should Immediately Evacuate Tehran”

In a Monday night post on Truth Social, President Trump wrote in all caps: “Simply stated, IRAN CAN NOT HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON…Everyone should immediately evacuate Tehran!”

The post offered no specific reason for the evacuation order, but it followed shortly after reports that Israel had carried out significant airstrikes in and around Tehran. Israeli authorities confirmed they had issued evacuation warnings to an estimated 330,000 residents in the Iranian capital, citing ongoing military operations.

While it’s unclear whether Trump coordinated his statement with Israeli intelligence or defense officials, the timing of the message suggested the White House was aware of serious developments on the ground.

A Breakdown in Diplomacy

In the same social media post, Trump blamed the Iranian government for the spiraling crisis, claiming Tehran refused to agree to what he described as “the ‘deal’ I told them to sign.” The former president—who returned to the White House in January after winning a controversial and hard-fought reelection—did not elaborate on the contents of this alleged deal but lamented, “What a shame, and waste of human life.”

The remark was interpreted by some foreign policy experts as a signal that backchannel negotiations between the U.S. and Iran had failed, and that military escalation may now be underway.

Shortly after making the post, Trump left the G7 Summit in Quebec and returned to Washington. According to White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, the president departed to “attend to many important matters” related to national security and the Middle East conflict.

Before boarding Air Force One, Trump briefly addressed reporters, saying: “The Iranians want to make a deal, and as soon as I leave here, we’re going to be doing something.”

G7 Leaders’ Statement Reflects Divisions

While Trump left early, the G7 leaders proceeded with issuing a joint statement late Monday after prolonged negotiations. A U.S. official had earlier indicated that Trump initially refused to sign the original draft due to disagreements over its tone toward Iran and the conflict.

According to the New York Times, after “initial draft language” was softened in some areas, Trump agreed to endorse the final version. The statement reaffirmed Israel’s “right to defend itself,” labeled Iran as the “principal source of regional instability and terror,” and emphasized, “Iran can never have a nuclear weapon.”

The G7 also urged a de-escalation of hostilities in the Middle East, calling for a ceasefire in Gaza and encouraging diplomatic pathways to resolve the broader conflict.

“We, the leaders of the G7, reiterate our commitment to peace and stability in the Middle East,” the final communique read.

Iran’s Response: “One Phone Call Can Stop Netanyahu”

In Tehran, the rhetoric was equally charged. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi responded via X (formerly Twitter), suggesting that Iran remained open to diplomacy—but only if Israel halted its offensive.

“If President Trump is genuine about diplomacy and interested in stopping this war, next steps are consequential,” Araghchi wrote. “Israel must halt its aggression, and absent a total cessation of military aggression against us, our responses will continue.”

He added pointedly: “It takes one phone call from Washington to muzzle someone like Netanyahu. That may pave the way for a return to diplomacy.”

The Iranian official went further, accusing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of being a “war criminal,” a sign that tensions between the two nations are not likely to subside soon.

A Potential Turning Point

Global leaders and analysts now fear that the conflict, which had been simmering for months through proxy battles in Lebanon, Syria, and the Red Sea, is veering toward direct war between two regional powers—one with nuclear capability and one on the brink.

Israel’s strikes on Tehran represent a significant escalation, possibly the first such attack on Iranian soil in modern history. The Israeli military has not released details of the strike, but unverified reports from Iranian opposition outlets claimed several military installations and government facilities were targeted.

U.S. intelligence agencies have not confirmed the extent of the damage or the nature of the targets, but officials are closely monitoring developments.

Washington on Edge

Back in Washington, lawmakers from both parties expressed concern over the president’s decision to issue a sweeping evacuation order without clarification.

“It’s one thing to speak strongly. It’s another to send millions of people into panic with no clear guidance,” said Sen. Chris Murphy (D-CT), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

However, Trump’s allies defended the move, calling it a necessary warning in light of Iran’s nuclear ambitions and the possibility of further military escalation.

“President Trump is being proactive,” said Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO). “He understands the stakes.”

What Happens Next?

With diplomacy hanging by a thread and military action on the rise, the world watches as two long-standing adversaries inch closer to the brink.

Trump has signaled that major decisions are imminent. Whether those will involve renewed diplomatic outreach or more aggressive military posturing remains to be seen.

For now, one thing is clear: the G7 Summit was supposed to be a show of unity among Western allies. Instead, it has become a backdrop for one of the gravest foreign policy crises in years—and a test of President Trump’s leadership in a world teetering on the edge of a broader Middle East war.