Trump cuts G7 trip short over rising tensions in Iran
- President Donald Trump announced his decision to cut short his participation at the G7 summit in Canada to manage rising tensions in the Middle East.
- His early departure is linked to ongoing hostilities between Israel and Iran, prompting him to urge Iranian residents to evacuate Tehran.
- Trump’s exit from the summit raises questions about U.S. foreign policy and its involvement in the Middle East conflict.
On June 16, 2025, in Canada, President Donald Trump abruptly decided to leave the G7 summit early to focus on escalating tensions in the Middle East, particularly regarding the Israel-Iran conflict. After a series of missile exchanges between Israel and Iran, Trump, citing significant concerns over security, urged residents of Tehran to evacuate the city. His departure came right after he shared on his Truth Social account that Iran should have negotiated a nuclear deal, as the current military actions were detrimental to both sides. The decision to leave early was confirmed by White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, stating that Trump aimed to attend to important matters arising from the situation. Despite his early exit, he expressed that he believed Iran was open to a negotiating deal to limit its nuclear program. Around the same time, key American officials sought to assure that the U.S. was not directly involved in Israel's recent military operations against Iranian targets, which had raised questions about the potential for wider regional conflict. Trump's early exit from the summit meant he would miss discussions that also involved pressing international issues, including the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. His absences from these discussions were notable, particularly as the G7 leaders were urged to take a unified stance regarding ongoing crises. The American president's reluctance to endorse measures that could escalate tensions in the Middle East was evident, leading to speculation about his administration's overall strategy in dealing with Iran and its nuclear ambitions. In the face of increasing military actions, several leaders at the summit had anticipated Trump’s potential departure, noting its significance for international diplomacy in the region. French President Emmanuel Macron remarked on the benefits of a ceasefire while addressing the need for careful negotiations with Iran to prevent additional civilian casualties. Ultimately, Trump's swift return to Washington amidst such international tensions signified the prioritization of immediate crises over multilateral diplomatic efforts in a historic forum like the G7.