Washington: Amid mounting tensions between Israel and Iran, US President Donald Trump on Monday issued a stark warning for civilians in Tehran to evacuate “immediately,” as Israeli airstrikes reportedly intensified over the Iranian capital.

The warning, delivered via Trump’s social media platform Truth Social, came just hours before the White House announced he would cut short his attendance at the G7 summit in Canada to “attend to many important matters.”

“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!” Trump wrote, adding, “Everyone should immediately evacuate Tehran!”

In a follow-up post, the president tied his hard-line approach to Iran’s nuclear ambitions to his broader political agenda, stating:

“AMERICA FIRST means many GREAT things, including the fact that, IRAN CAN NOT HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!!!”

Tensions in the region have surged since Thursday, when Israel began conducting airstrikes on Tehran. Iranian media reported fresh explosions and heavy anti-aircraft fire across the city shortly after Trump’s posts.

Tehran, a city of around 10 million residents--17 million including its metropolitan area--was reportedly subject to multiple evacuation orders issued by Israeli forces on Monday. The Israeli military claimed full control of the airspace over the Iranian capital and signalled a shift in its targeting strategy, expanding beyond military and nuclear sites to include infrastructure such as Iranian state television facilities.

One key neighbourhood under evacuation orders houses the headquarters of Iran’s state broadcaster. The feasibility of a mass civilian evacuation, particularly in the middle of the night—Trump’s warning was issued around 2am local time—remains uncertain.

Despite the heightened rhetoric, Trump struck a more conciliatory tone earlier in the day while at the G7 summit, suggesting the possibility of direct talks with Iranian leaders.

“I think a deal will be signed. I think Iran is foolish not to sign one,” he said, noting that the US had been communicating with Iran by phone and suggesting that face-to-face negotiations would be preferable.

Trump added that progress could follow swiftly once he departs the summit:

“I think Iran is basically at the negotiating table and wants to make a deal. As soon as I leave here, we’re going to be doing something.”

Iran, meanwhile, has called on the United States to step in and help bring an end to the air raids, which have dramatically escalated over recent days.