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Trump cuts short G7 Summit amid intensification of Iran-Israel clash

Just Earth News | @justearthnews | 16 Jun 2025

Trump cuts short G7 Summit amid intensification of Iran-Israel clash

US President Donald Trump. Photo: White House/Instagram

US President Donald Trump has cut short his visit to Canada to attend the G7 Summit amid escalating tension in the Middle East, with Israel and Iran continuing to target each other for the fifth consecutive day.

"I have to be back," Trump said during a ceremonial photo-op with the other world leaders present at the G7 summit on Monday as quoted by Fox News.

"You probably see what I see. And I have to be back as soon as I can," he said.

Meanwhile, Trump's post on Truth Social sparked off fear of further escalation of conflict in the Middle East when he wrote: "Everyone should immediately evacuate Tehran!"

He referred to Iran's decision to reject a deal to curb nuclear weapons development 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!"

Fox News reported that apart from Trump, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio will also cut short his visit to Canada.

Officials familiar with the ongoing situation told the news channel that the United States is not striking Iran and remains in a defensive posture amid the president's comments.

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth Says The US 'Is Postured Defensively'

Speaking to Fox News,  Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth said: " What you're watching in real time is peace through strength and America first. Our job is to be strong. We are postured defensively in the region to be strong in pursuit of a peace deal."

"My job as the secretary of defense is to ensure that our people are safe and that we're strong so that we can set the conditions for a deal. And President Trump's made it clear it's on the table. The question is whether Iran will take it," he said.

Iran Launches Missile Attacks

Iran launched another barrage of ballistic missiles towards the densely populated regions of Israel, prompting the sounding of sirens in the affected areas, media reports said.

Iran announced that it has responded to the Israeli onslaught across the Gulf nations, in which Tehran has faced the majority of the blows.

The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) has also confirmed the incoming missile attack in its Telegram channel.

"A short while ago, the IDF identified missiles launched from Iran towards the territory of the State of Israel. Defensive systems are operating to intercept the threat," it said.

The Israel Defense Forces on Monday claimed it had eliminated four high-ranking Iranian intelligence officials during a precision airstrike carried out by Israeli fighter jets in Tehran.

The deceased included the chief of the Intelligence Organisation of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

"The IDF eliminated 4 senior Iranian intelligence officials, including the Head of the IRGC’s Intelligence Organization," the IDF wrote on X.

IDF said IAF fighter jets guided by precise intelligence struck a structure in Tehran housing top Iranian intelligence officials.

The deceased Iranian intelligence officials were identified as Mohammad Kazemi, Head of IRGC Intelligence Organization, Mohammad Hassan Mohaqiq, his deputy, Mohsen Bakri, Head of Quds Force Intelligence and Abu al-Fadl Nikouei, his deputy.