President Donald Trump has abruptly departed the G7 summit in Canada to return to Washington amid escalating conflict between Israel and Iran — and after issuing a dramatic warning on social media: “Everyone should immediately evacuate Tehran.”
The announcement stunned reporters and G7 allies alike, marking a rapid shift in tone and urgency just hours after leaders gathered in the resort town of Kananaskis, Alberta. Trump, who had originally planned to remain at the summit through Tuesday, declared Monday afternoon that he would return early “for obvious reasons,” citing rising tensions in the Middle East.
“I have to be back as soon as I can,” he said, keeping details vague but emphasizing that diplomacy with Iran was at a critical juncture. “I think Iran basically is at the negotiating table… and as soon as I leave here, we’re going to be doing something.”
That “something” remains undefined, but Trump has directed Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff to pursue immediate contact with Iranian officials to explore the potential for a deal — or prepare for something far more confrontational.
The G7 summit, already overshadowed by division over Russia’s exclusion and the spiraling Israel-Iran conflict, took a backseat as Trump’s focus shifted fully to the brewing military and diplomatic crisis. Inside sources told CNN the president has instructed his national security team to convene in the White House Situation Room as soon as he returns to Washington.
Despite the rising alarm, the White House has maintained that the U.S. has not joined Israel in launching attacks on Iran — yet. “American forces are maintaining their defensive posture,” said White House spokesman Alex Pfeiffer. “That has not changed. We will defend American interests.”
But the signal to Tehran was clear: something major could be coming.
A Flare-Up After a Failed Deadline
The conflict intensified following the expiration of Trump’s two-month ultimatum to Iran: agree to a nuclear deal or face consequences. On day 61 — Friday — Israel launched a sweeping missile campaign deep inside Iranian territory, targeting military leaders and suspected nuclear infrastructure. Iran retaliated with a barrage of missiles striking Tel Aviv suburbs, raising fears of a broader regional war.
Now, with the threat of nuclear escalation looming, Trump appears to be gambling on a mix of pressure and posturing — while keeping military options firmly on the table.
Asked if the U.S. would back Israeli efforts to dismantle Iran’s nuclear program, Trump replied cryptically: “It’s irrelevant. Something’s going to happen.”
Fractures at the G7
Trump’s sudden pivot away from summit diplomacy also revealed growing rifts with fellow G7 leaders. Initially, he refused to sign a joint statement calling for de-escalation between Israel and Iran. However, after quiet edits to the language — reaffirming Israel’s right to self-defense while calling for the protection of civilians — Trump reportedly gave his blessing.
“We reiterate our support for the security of Israel… Iran is the principal source of regional instability and terror,” the statement read, adding, “We have been consistently clear that Iran can never have a nuclear weapon.”
Still, the optics were stark: a U.S. president breaking from a historic alliance gathering to deal with a crisis largely of his own making.
European leaders, meanwhile, have grown uneasy over Trump’s decision to publicly float Russian President Vladimir Putin as a potential mediator. Trump, who spoke with Putin by phone over the weekend, argued that Russia’s presence at the G7 could have prevented the current conflict.
French President Emmanuel Macron rejected the idea outright, citing Russia’s ongoing violation of international law in Ukraine. “Russia is not qualified to mediate peace,” Macron said during a stop in Greenland.
Trump, undeterred, doubled down. “They threw Russia out. I said that was a big mistake,” he told reporters. “Even though I wasn’t in politics then, I knew it.”
Where This Goes Next
As Trump boards Air Force One to return to Washington, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Iranian officials have yet to respond to U.S. overtures. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, emboldened by the U.S. president’s tone, appears in no rush to pause strikes.
Trump himself has declined to say what specific actions — or intelligence — might trigger U.S. military involvement. But the warning to Tehran, the early departure from the G7, and the White House Situation Room meetings suggest that a line may be nearing.
“They should talk,” Trump said of Iran. “And they should talk immediately — before it’s too late.”
The world now watches and waits.