The conflict between Iran and Israel entered its fifth consecutive day on Tuesday, marked by ongoing airstrikes, rising casualties, and diplomatic uncertainty. Former U.S. President Donald Trump issued a stark warning, urging civilians to “immediately evacuate Tehran”, citing Iran’s refusal to accept a nuclear agreement.
Trump’s Tehran Warning and Nuclear Deal Criticism
In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump 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!”
Trump’s remarks came as reports from Iranian media described explosions and air defense activity in Tehran and Natanz, a city housing key nuclear facilities. According to the Asriran news website, Iranian air defenses were also active near Natanz, roughly 320 km from the capital.
International Reactions and Disputed Ceasefire Claims
French President Emmanuel Macron stated on Monday that Trump’s early departure from the G7 summit in Canada was linked to efforts to mediate a ceasefire between Iran and Israel.
“There is an offer that has been made, especially to have a ceasefire and to initiate broader discussions,” Macron said, calling it “a very good thing.”
However, Trump denied Macron’s account, writing:
“Wrong! He has no idea why I am now on my way to Washington, but it certainly has nothing to do with a Cease Fire. Much bigger than that.”
He also called Macron a “publicity seeking” leader and dismissed the ceasefire claim as mistaken.
Escalation of Airstrikes and Civilian Casualties
The conflict, which began with Israeli airstrikes on Friday, has escalated into what observers are calling the largest direct military confrontation between Iran and Israel in history. Iranian officials report 224 deaths, mostly civilians, while Israel has reported 24 civilian deaths.
In Israel, air raid sirens sounded in Tel Aviv, and explosions were heard as Iranian missiles targeted the city overnight.
Israel claims its air campaign has eliminated most of Iran’s senior military leadership and leading nuclear scientists, and that it now controls Iranian airspace.
Targeted Facilities and Nuclear Concerns
Israeli strikes have reportedly damaged Iran’s state broadcaster and uranium enrichment facilities. Rafael Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), told the BBC that around 15,000 centrifuges at the Natanz nuclear facility were likely destroyed. He noted, however, that Iran’s Fordow plant remained largely intact.
Stalled Talks and Diplomatic Channels
Scheduled nuclear talks between the U.S. and Iran in Oman, initially set for June 15, were canceled. Tehran cited ongoing Israeli attacks as the reason for suspending negotiations.
Despite ongoing hostilities, Iran has reportedly reached out to Oman, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia to ask them to encourage Trump to pressure Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu into accepting a ceasefire. In return, Iran signaled it would show flexibility in nuclear negotiations, according to regional sources.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi stated on X:
“If President Trump is genuine about diplomacy and interested in stopping this war, next steps are consequential. Israel must halt its aggression, and absent a total cessation of military aggression against us, our responses will continue.”
Netanyahu, meanwhile, said Israel remains committed to ending Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile threats:
“If this can be achieved in another way—fine. But we gave it a 60-day chance.”
Trump echoed that statement, telling Reuters on Friday that Iran’s 60-day window to halt uranium enrichment had expired. Iran maintains that its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes and falls within its rights under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).
Evacuations and Economic Impact
Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said nearly 3,000 Israelis have been evacuated due to Iranian missile strikes.
The Chinese embassy in Tel Aviv urged its citizens to leave Israel via land borders, citing worsening security conditions and the closure of Israeli airspace.
Following Trump’s warning and the escalating violence, oil prices rose by more than 2% in early Asian markets on Tuesday, reversing prior losses.
G7 Fallout and U.S. Stance
Despite French claims, the White House denied that the United States was conducting attacks on Iran. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told Fox News that Trump still hoped for a nuclear agreement with Iran but emphasized that the U.S. would defend its regional assets.
A U.S. official confirmed that Trump would not sign a joint G7 statement calling for de-escalation. The draft statement emphasized that Iran must never obtain nuclear weapons and that Israel has the right to defend itself.
