Trump abruptly exits G7, issues Tehran evacuation warning as Israel-Iran conflict intensifies

For the fifth consecutive day, Israel and Iran exchanged airstrikes on Tuesday, escalating their fiercest-ever conflict. U.S. President Donald Trump, departing the G7 summit in Canada a day early, called on Iranians to flee Tehran, accusing Iran of rejecting a U.S.-proposed deal to halt its nuclear weapons program.

G7 leaders, convened in Canada, urged de-escalation, declaring that Iran must never possess nuclear weapons while affirming Israel’s right to self-defence. French President Emmanuel Macron revealed that Trump had floated a ceasefire proposal to pave the way for broader talks.

“An offer has been made, particularly for a ceasefire and to initiate wider discussions, which I view as a positive step,” Macron told reporters. “The response from both sides will be critical.”

Trump, a vocal critic of Iran’s nuclear ambitions, reiterated his stance on Truth Social Monday: “Iran should have signed the ‘deal’ I offered. What a tragedy, what a waste of lives. IRAN CANNOT HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON. I’ve said it repeatedly! Everyone must evacuate Tehran now!”

Axios reported potential U.S.-Iran talks this week between U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, though Reuters could not confirm the details. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, speaking on Fox News, affirmed Trump’s pursuit of a nuclear deal while vowing to protect U.S. regional assets.

In Tehran, Iranian media reported explosions and intense air defence activity early Tuesday, with smoke rising in the city’s east after suspected Israeli strikes. Air defences were also activated in Natanz, 200 miles south, home to critical nuclear facilities, according to the Asriran news website. On Monday, Israel targeted Iran’s broadcasting authority, killing two, with footage showing a newsreader fleeing mid-broadcast as a blast hit.

In Israel, air raid sirens echoed in Tel Aviv after midnight, though no missile impacts were reported. Iranian officials claimed 224 deaths, mostly civilians, over five days, while Israel reported 24 civilian fatalities. Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said nearly 3,000 Israelis were evacuated due to damage from Iranian strikes.

Reuters sources revealed that Tehran has enlisted Oman, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia to press Trump to convince Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for an immediate ceasefire. In exchange, Iran signalled willingness to compromise in nuclear talks. “If President Trump is serious about diplomacy and ending this war, his next moves are pivotal,” Araghchi posted on X. “Israel must cease its aggression, or our responses will persist.”

Iran denies pursuing nuclear weapons, asserting its right to peaceful nuclear technology under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), to which it is a signatory. Israel, widely believed to possess nuclear weapons but neither confirming nor denying it, is not an NPT member.

Oil prices surged over 2% in Asia Tuesday after Trump’s evacuation warning, rebounding from Monday’s dip amid reports of Iran seeking to end hostilities.

China urges citizens to flee Israel

Citing heightened security risks and Israel’s closed airspace, China’s embassy urged its nationals to exit Israel via land borders promptly. The Israel-Iran air war, unprecedented in scale, intensified Monday with Israel striking Iran’s state broadcaster and uranium enrichment sites. IAEA chief Rafael Grossi told the BBC that Natanz suffered severe damage, likely destroying 15,000 centrifuges, though the Fordow facility remained largely unscathed.

U.S.-Iran talks, slated for 15 June in Oman, were cancelled, with Tehran refusing to negotiate under attack. Israel’s campaign, launched with a surprise assault that decimated Iran’s top military and nuclear leadership, has secured control of Iranian airspace, with plans to escalate further, Israeli officials say. Trump maintains the conflict could end swiftly if Iran accepts stringent U.S. curbs on its nuclear program.

Mass exodus from Tehran?

Social media footage has captured a mass exodus of Iranians fleeing Tehran by car. Videos and images shared on social media platforms, verified by outlets like The New York Times and AFP, depict severe traffic jams on highways leading out of Tehran, particularly northbound routes toward rural areas and south toward Saveh.

Persian-language outlets and social media posts report kilometre-long lines at gas stations in Tehran and nearby Karaj, with some stations closing due to depleted fuel supplies. Footage shows hundreds of cars and people crowding the Gurbulak-Bazargan border crossing with Turkey, near the eastern Turkish city of Dogubayazit, as some Iranians attempt to leave the country entirely.

With agencies, edited by g.g.

Caption: US President Donald Trump departs after a family photo during the Group of Seven (G7) Summit at the Kananaskis Country Golf Course in Kananaskis, Alberta, Canada, 16 June 2025. World leaders are gathered from 15 to 17 June 2025 for the annual G7 Summit. [EPA/SUZANNE PLUNKETT / POOL]