“Evacuate Tehran Immediately”: Trump’s Stark Warning as Iran-Israel Conflict Escalates

With tensions boiling in the Middle East, Trump breaks from G7 to issue a dramatic message to Iranian citizens as nuclear fears rise

In a striking escalation of rhetoric, U.S. President Donald Trump has issued an urgent warning to residents of Tehran, urging civilians to “immediately evacuate” the Iranian capital as the conflict between Iran and Israel entered its fifth consecutive day.

Speaking via his Truth Social platform late Monday, Trump blamed the Iranian government’s refusal to accept a U.S.-brokered nuclear deal for the unfolding crisis, warning that the country’s leadership had “missed its chance.”

“Simply stated, IRAN CAN NOT HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON. I said it over and over again! Everyone should immediately evacuate Tehran!” Trump wrote.

Crisis escalates as G7 leaders call for calm

Trump’s comments came as world leaders gathered at the G7 summit in Canada, where urgent discussions were held about the growing instability in the Middle East. The summit, meant to focus on global economic recovery, was swiftly overtaken by the crisis in Iran, with several heads of state pointing fingers at Tehran’s nuclear ambitions.

In a joint communique, G7 leaders said Iran remained a “source of instability” and reaffirmed Israel’s right to self-defence. They warned that Iran must never be allowed to obtain a nuclear weapon, echoing long-standing concerns from both Washington and Tel Aviv.

Trump dismisses ceasefire reports: “Much bigger than that”

The already tense situation took another twist when French President Emmanuel Macron claimed that the United States had submitted a proposal to halt the fighting. Trump fired back on social media, calling Macron “wrong” and denying U.S. involvement in any ceasefire plan.

“He has no idea why I am now on my way to Washington, but it certainly has nothing to do with a Cease Fire. Much bigger than that,” Trump said, implying a broader strategy is in play.

This statement has left analysts and diplomats speculating about what Trump’s next move may be — especially given the ominous evacuation call to civilians in Tehran.

The nuclear shadow: A crisis decades in the making

Trump’s return to hardline rhetoric is reminiscent of his first term, during which he withdrew from the 2015 Iran nuclear deal (JCPOA) and reimposed sanctions on the Islamic Republic.

Since then, negotiations between the two countries have stalled, with Iran ramping up its uranium enrichment programme and the U.S. maintaining maximum pressure. The current conflict with Israel has added explosive urgency to the long-standing nuclear standoff.

While there has been no confirmation of direct U.S. military involvement, Trump’s warning suggests Washington may be preparing for a deeper confrontation, or at least using psychological pressure to influence the Iranian government and public.

Public and political reaction: “Playing with fire” or preparing for war?

Social media exploded with reactions to Trump’s posts. Some users praised the president for “standing firm” against what they called Iran’s provocations, while others warned he was “playing with fire” and risking a wider war.

Middle East watchers cautioned that such high-level rhetoric — particularly a civilian evacuation warning — is rare and alarming, especially when not accompanied by clear diplomatic communication.

“If the U.S. is serious about military action, the world needs to know. But if this is bluster, the consequences could still be catastrophic,” said an analyst from the International Crisis Group.

A fragile moment, with no clear off-ramp

As fighting continues between Israel and Iranian-backed forces across multiple fronts, and international airports in the region remain on high alert, Trump’s statements have poured fuel on an already burning fire.

With no confirmed ceasefire talks, and both Washington and Tehran digging in, the road to de-escalation looks more distant by the day.

For the millions of residents in Tehran and for the world, Trump’s warning has turned a tense conflict into a moment of existential fear. Whether this is the prelude to war or a high-stakes game of brinkmanship remains to be seen.