Five days after its surprise attack on Iran’s military and nuclear program, the United States and Israel appeared to be broadening their air campaign against Tehran. In a ominous message, President Donald Trump urged people living in the capital to leave. “IRAN CAN NOT HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON,” Trump wrote Monday night before returning to Washington early from a Group of Seven summit in Canada. “Tehran should be evacuated immediately!” Added he. Later, on the flight back to Washington, Trump told reporters on Air Force One, “I’m not looking at a ceasefire,” that he had not rushed back to work on a ceasefire. We’re looking at better than a ceasefire.”
He replied, “I just want people to be safe,” when asked why he had advocated for Tehran to be evacuated. The Israeli military had earlier ordered the 330,000 people living in a neighborhood in downtown Tehran to leave. With approximately 10 million people, Tehran is one of the largest cities in the Middle East. This makes it about the size of Israel. Since the beginning of the hostilities, people have been fleeing. Israel claims that its comprehensive assault on Iran’s top military leaders, nuclear scientists, uranium enrichment sites, and ballistic missile program is necessary to stop its long-standing adversary from building an atomic bomb. Since Friday, the strikes have left at least 224 people dead and 1,277 injured in Iran. Iran has responded by hitting Israel with more than 370 missiles and hundreds of drones. So far, 24 people have been killed in Israel and more than 500 wounded. The Israeli military said a new barrage of missiles was launched on Tuesday, and explosions could be heard in northern Israel.
Trump denies leaving G7 to work on Israel, Iran ceasefire amid conflict
