Trump leaves G7 Summit early, orders NSC to assemble in Situation Room as Iran-Israel clash intensifies
ALBERTA, CANADA: President Donald Trump decided to leave the G7 summit a day early amid the ongoing hostilities between Israel and Iran.
Israel launched a wave of first strikes last week on Iran, in what Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called a "preemptive" attack, Mediaite reported.
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
Donald Trump leaves G7 Summit early as Iran-Israel conflict intensifies
The POTUS has also ordered that the National Security Council prepare for an imminent meeting in the White House Situation Room.
Notably, Israeli officials have long alleged that Iran is looking to build nuclear weapons. During the recent bombings, Israel targeted top military officials and nuclear scientists, along with nuclear facilities, after which Iran retaliated.
Meanwhile, Iran has denied that it is seeking a nuclear weapon and said that its nuclear sites are for civilian purposes.
Trump posted a cryptic warning on Monday and wrote, "Iran should have signed the “deal” I told them to sign. 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!" the POTUS added.
Shortly after Trump's cryptic warning, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt announced that the POTUS would leave the summit early.
"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," Leavitt announced.
Interestingly, Trump lashed out at MAGA media figure and longtime ally Tucker Carlson, who has urged Trump not to further involve the US in Middle Eastern conflicts, just minutes before the POTUS posted his warning.
Trump wrote on Truth Social, "Somebody please explain to kooky Tucker Carlson that," IRAN CAN NOT HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON!""
Donald Trump defends Israel support
During an interview with The Atlantic’s Michael Scherer on Saturday, June 14, the POTUS seemed to push back against Tucker Carlson's suggestion that he is straying from "America First" ideals by supporting Israel’s strikes on Iran.
He asserted that he was the originator of the "America First" doctrine, so he is "the one that decides" what it means. The president pushed back on criticism that his stance contradicts the "America First" doctrine.
"Well, considering that I’m the one that developed ‘America First,’ and considering that the term wasn’t used until I came along, I think I’m the one that decides that," Trump said during the interview.
He added, "For those people who say they want peace — you can’t have peace if Iran has a nuclear weapon. So for all of those wonderful people who don’t want to do anything about Iran having a nuclear weapon — that’s not peace."
Trump added, "Iran cannot have a nuclear bomb, very simple. Regardless — Israel or not Israel — Iran cannot have a nuclear bomb."
The POTUS made the comments in response to a question about critics like Carlson, who have strongly opposed US backing of Israel’s strikes on Iran, calling it a betrayal of the "America First" philosophy.
Interestingly, Trump defended his record of working to resolve global conflicts throughout his interview, despite escalating tensions in the Middle East.
