President Donald Trump plans to leave an economic summit of world leaders early because of the conflict in the Middle East.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a post on X Monday that Trump had planned to stay at the economic summit longer, but will return to Washington Monday night “because of what’s going on in the Middle East.” Trump left Washington for Canada this week to meet with world leaders at the Group of Seven Summit.
“President Trump had a great day at the G7, even signing a major trade deal with the United Kingdom and Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Much was accomplished, but because of what’s going on in the Middle East, President Trump will be leaving tonight after dinner with Heads of State,” said Leavitt.
President Trump had a great day at the G7, even signing a major trade deal with the United Kingdom and Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Much was accomplished, but because of what’s going on in the Middle East, President Trump will be leaving tonight after dinner with Heads of State.
— Karoline Leavitt (@PressSec) June 16, 2025
The change in the president’s plans came as he posted a warning to residents in Tehran to leave the city immediately. The Iranian capital has been bombarded for days by Israel in targeted strikes on military and other key locations.
“Iran should have signed the ‘deal’ I told them to sign,” said Trump on Truth Social. “What a shame, and waste of human life. Simply stated, IRAN CAN NOT HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON. I said it over and over again! Everyone should immediately evacuate Tehran!”
NEW: President Trump is encouraging Iranians to evacuate Tehran. pic.twitter.com/QXmqozLlNL
— Kassy Akiva (@KassyAkiva) June 16, 2025
Earlier Monday, the president confirmed that Iran has reached out through intermediaries to negotiate to end the conflict.
“They’d like to talk, but they should have done that before,” the president told reporters at the summit. “I had 60 days, and they had 60 days. On the 61st day, I said, ‘We don’t have a deal.’ They have to make a deal, and it’s painful for both parties. But I’d say Iran is not winning this war, and they should talk, and they should talk immediately, before it’s too late.”
While at the summit, world leaders were floated a draft of a joint statement on the Israel-Iran conflict that, among other stances, would have pushed both sides to negotiate and end to the conflict. Trump reportedly refused to sign on to the joint statement.