US President Donald Trump speaks to reporters during the Group of Seven (G7) Summit in Canada on June 16, 2025. Photo: AFP
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The White House announced on Tuesday that President Donald Trump will shorten his trip to Canada, where he is attending the G7 summit, by one day due to recent developments in the Middle East.
“President Trump had a great day at the G7… 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 wrote on X.
"I have to be back," Trump told reporters when asked about his decision to leave the G7 summit early. "You probably see what I see."
The announcement came an hour after Trump called on Iranians to evacuate Tehran without elaborating. He also slammed Tehran for failing to reach a nuclear deal with Washington.
“What a shame, and waste of human life,” he said.
Israeli officials have also asked the residents of parts of Tehran to evacuate. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Kats hinted on Monday that “the residents of Tehran will pay the price” for civilian casualties in Israel. He later clarified that his statement was not intended as a threat to harm civilians.
Iranian authorities have also warned the residents of Tel Aviv to evacuate.
The US has not been involved in the latest escalation in the Israel-Iran conflict, but it has helped Israel down Iranian drones and missiles before reaching Israel.
Tensions between Israel and Iran sharply escalated on Friday after Israel carried out extensive airstrikes in western Iran, killing several commanders and nuclear scientists. In response, Iran launched nine missile salvos and deployed numerous drones targeting Israel.
According to Israeli authorities, so far at least 24 civilians have been killed and 592 injured. In Iran, authorities reported 224 people killed and 1,277 injured.
Iran has repeatedly accused the US of supporting Israel.
Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei on Monday called on the US to take a clear stance on the latest escalation between Iran and Israel, stressing that Washington is backing Israel.
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said early Tuesday on X that he has “directed the deployment of additional capabilities to the United States Central Command Area of Responsibility,” referring to US troops in the Middle East without disclosing what capabilities have been sent to the region.
“Protecting U.S. forces is our top priority and these developments are intended to enhance our defensive posture in the region,” he added.
French President Emmanuel Macron, who is also in Canada to attend the G7 summit, told reporters that Israel and Iran should end strikes against civilians, warning against forcing a regime change in Iran.
"All who have thought that by bombing from the outside you can save a country in spite of itself have always been mistaken," he said, reported AFP.
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