President Donald Trump explained early Tuesday why he called for the immediate evacuation of Tehran amid the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran, while shutting down an earlier statement by one of his top intelligence officials on Iran’s nuclear program.
“I just want people to be safe,” Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One following his abrupt departure from the Group of Seven summit in Canada a day earlier than originally planned.
In a Monday evening post on his Truth Social platform, Trump said, “Everyone should immediately evacuate Tehran,” while expressing regret for Iran’s position to not enter into a nuclear deal with his administration prior to Israel’s attacks.
“What a shame, and waste of human life,” he wrote. “Simply stated, IRAN CAN NOT HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON.”
When reporters pointed Trump to testimony from Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard in March that the U.S. intelligence community did not believe Iran was in the process of building a nuclear weapon, the president appeared dismissive.
“I don’t care what she said. I think they were very close to having them,” he added.
Trump told reporters he was pursuing a “a real end, not a ceasefire” as the two countries continue to attack each other.
Earlier, Trump poured cold water on French President Emmanuel Macron’s statement that the U.S. president left the summit early to broker a ceasefire between Israel and Iran.
“He has no idea why I am now on my way to Washington, but it certainly has nothing to do with a Cease Fire,” Trump wrote. “Much bigger than that. Whether purposely or not, Emmanuel always gets it wrong. Stay Tuned!”
The ongoing conflict broke out after Israel launched strikes last week targeting the country’s nuclear and missile sites, killing some of its top military officials. The move reportedly took Tehran by surprise as it did not expect Israel to attack ahead of a new round of nuclear talks with Washington, The New York Times reported, citing sources close to Iran’s leadership.
Trump did not rule out sending his Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff and Vice President JD Vance to meet with Iranian officials but clarified that would depend on what happens when he returns to Washington.
Trump said he left the G7 early so he could be fully briefed in-person on the situation unfolding in the Middle East, adding that he will be meeting with his national security team in the Situation Room on Tuesday morning.
“I don’t believe in telephones,” Trump said. “Being on the scene is much better.”
