The president’s decision comes after he called for the immediate evacuation of Tehran as Iran and Israel continue to exchange airstrikes.
CALGARY, Canada—President Donald Trump will leave the G7 summit earlier than planned, opting to return to Washington, the White House said on Monday.
“President Trump had a great day at the G7, even signing a major trade deal with the United Kingdom and Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Much was accomplished, but because of what’s going on in the Middle East, President Trump will be leaving tonight after dinner with Heads of State,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt announced on social media platform X.
Trump’s abrupt decision to leave the summit echoed his first term, when he left the 2018 Charlevoix, Canada, summit early. That meeting ended in discord over trade disputes, with Trump refusing to endorse the joint communiqué. This time, the White House cited escalating tensions in the Middle East as the reason for his early departure.
Trump issued a stark warning earlier to Iran via a Truth Social post and called for the immediate evacuation of Tehran as Iran and Israel continue to exchange airstrikes.
“Iran should have signed the ‘deal’ I told them to sign. What a shame, and waste of human life. Simply stated, IRAN CAN NOT HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON. I said it over and over again! Everyone should immediately evacuate Tehran!” the president wrote in a June 16 post.
During the first day of G7 meetings, member nations proposed a joint statement advocating for de-escalation in the ongoing Israel-Iran conflict.
Trump commented on Iran on the sidelines of the G7 after his bilateral meeting with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
When asked if Trump endorsed de-escalation, Trump said, “A deal will be signed, and I think Iran is foolish not to sign one.”
When pressed on whether the United States would refrain from military involvement, Trump sidestepped the question.
“As soon as I leave here, we’re going to be doing something. But I have to leave here. I have, you know, this commitment. I have a lot of commitments,” Trump said.
When asked about supporting regime change in Iran, Trump reiterated his primary objective: “I want to see no nuclear weapon in Iran, and we’re well on our way to making sure that happens.”
By Emel Akan
