President Donald Trump abruptly left the G7 summit in Canada on Monday, citing escalating tensions between Israel and Iran as the reason for his early departure. The summit, originally scheduled to run through June 17, was cut short for the U.S. delegation as Trump boarded Air Force One ahead of schedule, sparking confusion among world leaders and international observers.
Before leaving Ottawa, Trump made a surprise public call for the “immediate evacuation” of civilians in Tehran, warning of an impending humanitarian crisis in the Iranian capital. He emphasized that Israel had the right to defend itself and blamed the Iranian regime for placing its people at risk through what he called “reckless military posturing and support for terrorism.” His remarks have raised concern among humanitarian organizations and drew swift condemnation from Tehran, which accused the U.S. of stoking regional conflict.
Trump also refused to sign the G7’s final communique, breaking from tradition once again and frustrating several of America’s closest allies. He cited disagreements over the document’s language related to Middle East policy, climate cooperation, and military contributions. European leaders described Trump’s refusal as disappointing, with some suggesting it weakened the unity of the group during a time of international crisis.
In comments to the press, Trump reiterated his support for Israel’s preemptive strikes on Iranian military assets and criticized other G7 members for what he described as “downplaying the Iranian threat.” He went further by renewing his push for Russia’s return to the group, proposing a revival of the G8 format. According to Trump, “Russia has strategic importance in both the Middle East and Europe. We can’t afford to exclude them any longer.” The idea received little support from other leaders, with many citing Russia’s ongoing occupation of Crimea as grounds for continued exclusion.
The president’s departure has triggered mixed reactions in Washington. Republican allies praised him for prioritizing national security and demonstrating leadership in a time of potential war. Democrats, however, criticized the move as diplomatically damaging and warned that abandoning multilateral coordination at such a critical moment could have long-term consequences.
The developments come as the world watches a volatile situation unfold in the Middle East. Israel’s recent strikes on Tehran have heightened fears of a broader regional war, and Trump’s sudden exit from the G7 adds a layer of uncertainty to already fragile global diplomacy. Emergency meetings are expected at both the United Nations and NATO, and observers say the coming days could be pivotal in determining whether the conflict escalates or stabilizes.
