The President of the United States, Donald Trump, left the G7 summit held in Canada early, in a move that has surprised the world leaders gathered there.
The official reason? To oversee from the White House the escalating military conflict between Israel and Iran.
Trump was expected to stay at the summit until Tuesday night, participating in sessions dedicated to the conflict in the Middle East.
However, after a series of bilateral meetings—including one with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer—and a call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Trump chose to withdraw.
Shortly thereafter, the White House issued a statement explaining that the president was heading to Washington to "directly supervise the situation from the Oval Office."
In this regard, Trump stated: “I have to return early for obvious reasons,” although he did not provide further details.
A disturbing warning: "Evacuate Tehran!"
Before taking off, the president posted a disturbing message on his platform Truth Social: “Everyone must evacuate Tehran immediately!”
The warning, without any accompanying explanation, caused international alarm.
Although Trump himself later described it as an expression of concern for civilian safety, he did not provide any additional details. "I want people to be safe," he said aboard Air Force One.
During his flight back, Trump spoke with journalists, making bold statements that outlined his stance on the conflict.
“I didn't say I was looking for a ceasefire”, he emphasized. “I want a real end” to the Iranian nuclear program.
According to Trump, his goal is not just to stop the current hostilities, but to ensure that Iran completely abandons uranium enrichment
“I want a real end, with Iran completely renouncing nuclear weapons. I hope the Iranian nuclear program is destroyed before we have to do anything else,” he pointed out.
Additionally, he forecasted that Israel would not reduce its military offensive: “They will know in the next two days. No one has slowed down so far.”
When asked about the assessment by National Intelligence Director Tulsi Gabbard, who stated that Iran is not building a nuclear weapon, Trump was blunt:
"I don’t care what was said. I believe they were very close to having them," he asserted.
The White House Press Secretary, Karoline Leavitt, echoed on X a report about Trump's meeting with the press, calling the president "the most transparent president in history."
Negotiation Under Fire: Concurrent Diplomacy and Pressure
According to CBS News, sources close to the administration indicated that Trump had instructed his team, including envoy Steve Witkoff and possibly Vice President JD Vance, to attempt to meet with Iranian representatives "as soon as possible."
However, the president clarified his willingness: “I may do it, it depends on what happens when I return. I'm not in the mood to negotiate.”
Tehran, for its part, has reportedly conveyed to intermediaries in Qatar and Oman its willingness to negotiate, but only once the Israeli attacks cease.
National security and red lines
Trump also addressed the risks to U.S. interests in the region. He asserted that Iran knows it should not attack U.S. troops:
"If they do anything against our people, we will respond with great severity," he warned.
He refused to answer when asked if the Pentagon had provided him with contingency plans for an Iranian attack
Friction in the G7 and the role of Russia
Trump's early departure left the G7 in an uncomfortable position.
While he was initially reluctant to sign a joint statement calling for restraint in the Middle East, he ultimately did so after the language of the document was modified. It reiterates that Iran "must never obtain nuclear weapons" and expresses support for Israel's security.
At the same time, Trump heightened tensions with Emmanuel Macron after publicly contradicting the French president, who had suggested that the American was leaving to promote a ceasefire
“Incorrect! You have no idea why I am on my way to Washington now”, the U.S. president denied.
Trump also reignited an old debate by criticizing Russia's exclusion from the G7: “It was a big mistake. I think there wouldn't be a war now if Russia were still in the group.”
The context: An escalating war
As Trump returned to the U.S., Israel intensified its attacks in Iran, targeting military infrastructures and state media, and eliminating high-ranking officials of the Iranian army, including the new chief of staff.
The death toll in Iran exceeds 220, while in Israel at least 24 fatalities have been reported.
The world is now watching closely how the next 48 hours unfold, which are crucial according to Trump himself, to determine whether diplomacy still stands a chance or if the conflict between Israel and Iran will escalate to even more dangerous levels.
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