U.S. President Donald Trump abruptly departed the G7 summit in Canada on Monday night, citing urgent developments in the Middle East as the reason for his early exit.
Speaking briefly to reporters, Trump said, "I have to be back early for obvious reasons," referring to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran, which has now entered its fifth consecutive day.
Trump’s departure from the summit, held at Kananaskis in the Canadian Rockies, means he will miss scheduled face-to-face meetings with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum on the final day of the summit.
The White House confirmed that Trump had called for an immediate meeting of the National Security Council upon his return to Washington.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth later announced the deployment of additional U.S. military assets to the Middle East, aimed at strengthening the Pentagon`s "defensive posture" in the region.
However, senior U.S. officials have denied reports suggesting that American forces are preparing to join Israel’s offensive against Iran.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt emphasized that the President had "a great day" at the summit, highlighting significant progress, including a new trade agreement between the United States and the United Kingdom.
However, Leavitt confirmed that Trump’s early departure was directly linked to "what`s going on in the Middle East," though she declined to provide further details.
In a separate statement during a photo session, President Trump remarked that he needed to return to Washington for "big stuff."
On social media, Trump reiterated his long-standing position on Iran’s nuclear ambitions, writing, "Simply stated, IRAN CAN NOT HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON. I said it over and over again!"
He further criticized Iran for failing to agree to a nuclear deal proposed in the latest round of U.S.-Iran talks.
In a concerning move, Trump used his social media platform, Truth Social, to urge Iranian citizens to "immediately evacuate" Tehran, a city home to nearly 17 million people. No further clarification was provided on what prompted this warning.
The situation remains tense, with the international community watching closely as the risk of broader regional escalation increases.
