Israel and Iran engaged in mutual attacks for the fifth consecutive day on Tuesday, while U.S. President Donald Trump urged Iranians to evacuate Tehran.
The White House announced that Trump is set to leave the G7 summit in Canada earlier than scheduled on Monday due to escalating tensions in the Middle East. Reports indicated that a National Security Council meeting was planned.
Trump posted on Truth Social, “Iran should have signed the deal they were asked to. What a shame and a waste of human lives. Simply put, Iran cannot have nuclear weapons. I have said this repeatedly! Everyone must evacuate Tehran immediately!”
French President Emmanuel Macron noted that Trump’s early departure from the G7 is a positive step, as the current aim is to encourage both Israel and Iran to agree to a U.S.-proposed ceasefire.
He added, “There is a proposal on the table, particularly regarding a ceasefire and the initiation of broader discussions. I think this is very good… Now we need to see how the relevant parties will respond.”
Iranian media reported explosions and heavy anti-aircraft fire in Tehran early Tuesday. The Asr Iran news agency mentioned that defense systems were activated in Natanz, which houses significant nuclear facilities located around 320 kilometers away.
A White House official clarified that the U.S. is not attacking Iran. U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth stated to Fox News that Trump is still pursuing a nuclear agreement with Iran, emphasizing that the U.S. will protect its assets in the region.
In Israel, air raid sirens sounded in Tel Aviv shortly after midnight, followed by booming explosions as Iranian missiles targeted the country once again.
Iranian officials reported 224 fatalities, mostly civilians, over the five-day conflict, while Israel reported 24 civilian deaths. Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich stated that around 3,000 Israelis were evacuated due to damage from Iranian strikes.
Sources told Reuters that Tehran has requested Oman, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia to urge Trump to press Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for an immediate ceasefire agreement. According to Iranian and regional sources, Iran would show flexibility in nuclear negotiations in return.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated on X, “If President Trump is sincere in diplomatic efforts and is interested in halting this war, the next steps will be critical.”
He continued, “Israel must cease its aggression; if there is no complete stop to military attacks against us, our responses will continue.”
Netanyahu told reporters on Monday that Israel is determined to eliminate threats from Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs, adding, “If this can be achieved in another way, that’s fine. But we gave it a 60-day opportunity.”
In remarks to Reuters on Friday, the first day of the Israeli assault, Trump mentioned he had given the Iranians 60 days to reach a deal to halt uranium enrichment, noting that the deadline passed without an agreement. Iran maintains that its nuclear program is solely for peaceful purposes.
Oil prices surged by more than two percent in early Tuesday trading in Asia following Trump’s evacuation warning, recovering losses from Monday amid reports that Iran is looking to end hostilities.