Trump Warns Tehran to Evacuate as Israel Expands Strikes on Iran

U.S. President Donald Trump has issued a dramatic warning Monday night urging residents of Tehran to evacuate immediately as Israel intensified its military strikes on Iran’s nuclear and military infrastructure for a fifth consecutive day. 

In a post on social media, Trump declared, “Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon,” before abruptly leaving the G7 summit in Canada to return to Washington. Dismissing speculation that his departure was linked to ceasefire efforts, Trump said his return was for matters “much bigger than that.”

Image Source: POTUS Trump on X

The Israeli military, escalating its campaign, called for the evacuation of roughly 330,000 people from central neighborhoods in Tehran, targeting areas that house government offices, police headquarters, state television, and hospitals linked to the Revolutionary Guard.

Downtown Tehran saw widespread closures, heavy traffic as residents fled toward the north, and long fuel lines at gas stations as the air campaign continued. Iranian authorities, while insisting they were in control, offered no public safety guidance to civilians.

Since launching its surprise strikes on Friday, Israel has targeted Iran’s top military leaders, nuclear scientists, uranium enrichment facilities, missile launchers, and Revolutionary Guard command centers. Israeli officials claim the strikes have severely set back Iran’s nuclear program. 

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in regular contact with Trump, said the attacks had delayed Iran’s nuclear ambitions by a “very, very long time.” However, the deeply buried Fordo enrichment site remains intact, as Israel lacks the heavy munitions required to destroy it.

At least 224 people have been reported killed in Iran, while rights groups estimate the death toll may exceed 400, including nearly 200 civilians. 

Over 1,200 people have been injured. Among the dead, Israel says it eliminated Gen. Ali Shadmani, recently appointed head of Iran’s Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, though Tehran has yet to confirm his death.

Iran has retaliated by launching over 370 missiles and hundreds of drones into Israel, killing 24 and injuring more than 500. The Israeli military reported fresh missile strikes Tuesday, with explosions heard in northern Israel.

The G7 leaders, including Trump, issued a joint statement reaffirming that Iran must never acquire a nuclear weapon while calling for de-escalation across the Middle East. However, French President Emmanuel Macron’s remarks hinting at ongoing ceasefire discussions were publicly contradicted by Trump, who denied any ceasefire negotiations were underway.

At the White House, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth met with Trump’s national security team late Monday, saying only that efforts were underway to ensure American personnel remained safe.

Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi signaled that Iran may be open to diplomacy if the U.S. acts to restrain Israel. 

Talks between Washington and Tehran have been stalled since the conflict erupted. Araghchi stated Iran would halt its strikes if Israel did the same, but for now, both sides remain locked in a dangerous cycle of retaliation with no immediate resolution in sight.