Amid escalating tensions in the Middle East, President Donald Trump is cutting short his attendance at the G7 summit in Canada to return to Washington early. The decision was prompted by the intensifying conflict between Israel and Iran, with Trump issuing a chilling warning on social media for residents of Tehran to evacuate. This move followed an evacuation order by Israeli forces in preparation for imminent bombings targeting military infrastructure in Tehran.

Trump’s unexpected departure from the G7 summit disrupts discussions on the Middle East conflict, as organizers had hoped for the US to support a statement advocating for de-escalation. The draft of the statement highlighted key points, including Iran’s prohibition from possessing nuclear weapons, Israel’s right to self-defense, and the importance of negotiating Iran’s nuclear weapons program.

The swift developments have raised concerns in Washington about potential US involvement in the conflict and the risk of triggering a wider war in the region. Israeli airstrikes, initially targeting air defenses and nuclear sites, have evolved into a war of attrition. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s statement suggesting the assassination of Iran’s supreme leader as a means to “end the conflict” further underscores the volatile situation.

As tensions mount, the US has redirected the USS Nimitz aircraft carrier strike group to the Middle East, joining the USS Carl Vinson carrier strike group in the region. Additionally, US destroyers and air force refueling aircraft have been deployed to bolster security measures in the Mediterranean and support ongoing operations in the Middle East. The situation remains fluid, with the international community closely monitoring developments in the region.