The President of the United States returned from the G7 summit in Canada a day early to focus on escalating tensions in the Middle East, particularly those surrounding Iran’s nuclear ambitions and recent clashes with Israel.
He stated that his goal is to reach what he described as “a real end” to Iran’s nuclear program, not just a temporary ceasefire. Although no concrete decisions were announced, he mentioned that he might send special envoy Steve Witkoff and Vice President Vance to initiate contact with Iranian officials.
“It depends on what happens now that I’m back,” he told reporters aboard Air Force One. “I’m not exactly in a mood to negotiate.”
The early departure followed discussions among G7 leaders, where the Israel-Iran conflict was a dominant topic. Leaders reached a joint statement emphasizing Israel’s right to self-defense and identifying Iran as a major source of instability in the region.
The White House confirmed the early exit shortly after the president posted a message on social media urging the evacuation of Tehran. When asked if there was a specific threat prompting the message, he replied, “A lot of bad things are happening there. I think it’s safer if they evacuate.”
The G7 statement also called for a broader de-escalation of violence across the region, including a possible ceasefire in Gaza. Although there were doubts about whether the president would endorse the final text, he stated he had authorized some elements without reviewing the complete version.
Regarding the risk of attacks on U.S. forces in the region, the president expressed confidence that Iran would avoid such actions. “If they do anything to our people, we’ll hit back hard,” he said. “I think they know better than to touch our troops.”
