Canada – June 17, 2025 — U.S. President Donald Trump left the G7 summit in Canada early as the Middle East conflict between Israel and Iran entered its fifth consecutive day.
In a joint statement, G7 leaders called for an “immediate de-escalation of hostilities,” including a ceasefire in Gaza. They reaffirmed their support for “peace and stability,” while also backing Israel’s right to self-defense.
However, Trump rejected the initial draft of the statement, reportedly due to disagreements over its tone toward Iran. Still, the final version was released Monday night, emphasizing that Iran must never acquire a nuclear weapon and describing Tehran as a “principal source of instability and terror.”
The statement came amid a sharp spike in violence. Israeli strikes killed over 220 people in Iran, according to Iranian health authorities. Iran retaliated with missile attacks, targeting Tel Aviv and forcing residents into shelters. In Israel, at least 24 people have died.
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Trump told reporters he left the summit early “for obvious reasons” and returned to Washington for “big stuff.” On his social platform, Truth Social, he warned Iranians to “immediately evacuate Tehran” and repeated, “Iran CAN NOT have a nuclear weapon.”
Shortly after, Iranian media reported explosions and heavy air defense activity in Tehran. Hours earlier, Israeli missiles had hit Iran’s state broadcaster during a live segment, forcing a presenter to flee mid-broadcast.
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced the deployment of additional military capabilities to the region. He stressed, however, that the U.S. would not participate in Israeli offensive operations.
Despite his early exit, Trump finalized a trade agreement with the United Kingdom and discussed future deals with Canada. He also reiterated his stance on Russia, calling it a “mistake” to remove Moscow from the G8 in 2014.
French President Emmanuel Macron supported Trump’s early departure, saying it could help secure a ceasefire. Australian officials also called the move “understandable.”
Still, the summit exposed divisions over how to handle the crisis. While G7 leaders backed Israel’s right to defend itself, critics questioned whether this stance aligns with the call for de-escalation.
