In a dramatic statement, former President Donald Trump has called for an immediate evacuation of Tehran, urging that “Everyone should immediately evacuate Tehran!” This announcement comes just hours after Israel issued evacuation orders for a significant portion of the Iranian capital. Trump expressed his concerns via a post on his social media platform, Truth Social, emphasizing that “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.”
The tensions between Washington and Tehran have intensified, especially following a surprise attack by Israel on Iran last Friday, amidst ongoing nuclear negotiations. With a population of approximately 9 million, Tehran is currently facing a critical situation as military operations escalate.
Hours before Trump’s alarming post, the Israeli military issued an evacuation order for residents in parts of Tehran, warning of imminent bombings targeting what they described as “military infrastructure.” This communication was similar to warnings previously directed at Palestinians in Gaza over the last 20 months. The message was disseminated via a social media post from Colonel Avichay Adraee, the Arabic spokesperson for the Israel Defense Forces.
This shift in the Israeli campaign against Iran marks a significant escalation, transitioning from initial strikes on air defenses and nuclear facilities to a broader strategy that appears focused on crippling Iran's oil and gas sectors and targeting the capital directly.
The aftermath of the Israeli strikes has resulted in a medical crisis in Tehran. Hospitals, particularly the Imam Khomeini hospital, have been inundated with casualties, described by staff as a “bloodbath.” A doctor from the emergency unit reported, “It was a bloodbath. We were overwhelmed by chaos and the screams of grieving family members.” The influx of injured individuals, including children and the elderly, has overwhelmed medical facilities, with many suffering from severe shrapnel wounds and other life-threatening injuries.
In a shocking incident, a staff member of the Iranian state broadcaster IRIB was killed during an Israeli attack on the building while a live broadcast was underway. Reports state that Masoumeh Azimi succumbed to injuries inflicted by the shockwave of the strike, while several other journalists were also injured. Footage of the incident showed newsreader Sahar Emami fleeing her desk as debris fell around her. Iran has condemned this attack as a war crime and called on the United Nations to take action against such aggressive measures.
In a related development, U.S. defense officials have denied reports suggesting that American forces have engaged in attacks against Iran. Chief Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell stated, “This is not true,” reiterating that American forces are maintaining a defensive posture. However, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed the deployment of additional military capabilities to the Middle East, which includes a significant number of refueling aircraft and the movement of an aircraft carrier to the region.
In response to the escalating conflict, Trump has decided to cut his participation in the G7 Summit in Canada short, citing the situation in the Middle East. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt announced that Trump would be departing after dinner with world leaders, significantly earlier than initially planned.
As the situation unfolds, French President Emmanuel Macron mentioned that Trump had extended an offer for a ceasefire between Israel and Iran, aiming to initiate broader discussions for peace. The escalating violence has left more than 224 Iranians dead, with most casualties being civilians, while Israel reports 24 civilian deaths. Calls for de-escalation are emerging, with European nations beginning to evacuate their citizens from Israel and renewed discussions among Gulf State leaders for mediation.
The situation remains volatile as both Iran and Israel continue to exchange missile strikes, with international leaders urging for a peaceful resolution. The evolving dynamics in the Middle East underscore the complexities surrounding nuclear negotiations and regional security.
