Fact Check: "On June 16, 2025, President Donald Trump urged the 9.5 million residents of Tehran to flee for their lives as he cut short his visit to the G7 summit to return to Washington for urgent talks with his national security team."
What We Know
On June 16, 2025, President Donald Trump did indeed cut short his visit to the G7 summit in Canada due to escalating tensions between Israel and Iran. Reports indicate that he was returning to Washington for urgent discussions with his national security team regarding the situation in the Middle East (source-1, source-4). During this time, he made statements urging the residents of Tehran to evacuate, emphasizing that "Iran CAN NOT HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON" and suggesting that the situation was dire (source-2, source-4).
The context for these statements was the ongoing conflict, which had seen significant military actions from Israel against Iranian targets, leading to civilian casualties and a precarious situation for residents in Tehran (source-1, source-3).
Analysis
The claim that President Trump urged the residents of Tehran to flee for their lives is supported by multiple credible sources. The urgency of his statements reflects the heightened tensions and military actions occurring at that time, as Israel was actively targeting Iranian military infrastructure, which included calls for evacuation from parts of Tehran (source-1, source-2).
However, the claim could be seen as partially misleading because it lacks the nuance of the broader context. While Trump did make these statements, they were part of a larger narrative regarding U.S. foreign policy and military strategy in the region. His comments were likely intended to signal a strong stance against Iran's nuclear ambitions rather than a direct and immediate call for mass evacuation, which could be interpreted differently depending on the audience (source-4, source-5).
Additionally, while Trump did cut his trip short, the urgency of his return was also influenced by other geopolitical considerations beyond just the situation in Tehran (source-6).
Conclusion
The claim that President Trump urged the residents of Tehran to flee for their lives while cutting short his G7 visit is Partially True. While he did make such statements and left the summit due to escalating tensions, the context and implications of his comments suggest a more complex situation than a straightforward evacuation order. His remarks were part of a broader strategic discussion regarding U.S. involvement in the conflict and should be understood within that framework.
Sources
- Live Updates: Trump Leaving G7 Early to Deal With Israel-Iran Conflict - New York Times
- Trump urges Tehran evacuation as Iran-Israel conflict enters fifth day - Reuters
- Trump to leave G7 due to Iran-Israel conflict - AP News
- Trump has a choice as Israel looks for more US help vs. Iran - AP News
- Trump to leave G7 summit early due to Middle East situation - Reuters
- Trump leaves G-7 meeting early to deal with Mideast - Washington Post
