In a social-media post, Leavitt pointed to the escalating crisis in the Middle East, where Israel and Iran have been trading attacks, fueling worries that the clash may spiral into a broader regional conflict.
“President Trump had a great day at the G7, even signing a major trade deal with the United Kingdom and Prime Minister Keir Starmer,” Leavitt wrote. “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.”Shortly before the White House announcement that Trump would leave the summit early, the president called for an evacuation of Tehran, Iran’s capital and largest city, as Israel vowed more strikes.
“Simply stated, IRAN CAN NOT HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON. I said it over and over again! Everyone should immediately evacuate Tehran!” Trump had written on social media.
It was unclear if the president was aware of a fresh round of attacks by Israel on Iran. His comments, though, jolted markets with US equity index futures turning modestly lower and crude contracts erasing declines.
Trump had hinted earlier in the day that there would be more developments in the Middle East, telling reporters, “as soon as I leave here, we’re going to be doing something.”
Iran and Israel’s conflict marks a serious escalation of their long shadow war. Israel last week launched an assault targeting Iranian nuclear facilities and senior military figures, leading to reprisal attacks with drones and missiles and both sides suffering casualties and damage.
While Trump and senior officials have stressed that the US was not involved in Israel’s attacks on Iran and have warned Tehran not to target American personnel or assets in the region, the administration has helped Israel defend itself from the missile and drone attacks.
Whether the US might join in any military action against Iran remains a key question. Israel’s strikes have seen the country assume control over much of Iranian air space and damage key nuclear sites, but experts have said the country lacks the firepower to destroy an underground nuclear facility at Fordow.
Trump earlier told ABC News it was “possible” the US could get involved in the conflict, even as he noted that the US is “not at this moment involved.”
Trump at the G-7 on Monday held meetings with prime ministers Mark Carney of Canada, who is hosting the gathering in Alberta, Japan’s Shigeru Ishiba and the United Kingdom’s Keir Starmer, with whom he reached an agreement to implement a trade deal.
Tuesday’s agenda at the summit is expected to focus on support for Ukraine, something that other G-7 nations endorse but that Trump has been far more ambivalent about. Earlier Monday, Trump had lamented that Russia was expelled from the group in 2014 over its invasion of Ukraine.
Trump had also been expected to meet Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy on Tuesday.
