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Politics

Trump Leaves G7 to Handle Escalating Middle East Flashpoint 

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Trump Leaves G7 to Handle Escalating Middle East Flashpoint 

The 2025 G7 Summit in Canada, a gathering traditionally defined by diplomatic consensus and forward-looking declarations, was this year disrupted by the stark realities of a Middle East on the brink of catastrophe. U.S. President Donald Trump’s abrupt departure from the summit—citing developments in the region—reflected the escalating crisis between Iran and Israel, now in its fifth consecutive day of direct military engagement. 

Trump, who has adopted a hardline stance on Iran since his re-election, left the summit early to return to Washington, instructing his national security team to convene in the White House Situation Room. His message on Truth Social was unequivocal: urging all civilians to evacuate Tehran and restating his long-held position that Iran “cannot have a nuclear weapon.” 

Behind the dramatic exit lies a nuanced strategy. According to French President Emmanuel Macron, Trump has floated the prospect of a ceasefire between Israel and Iran. While the United States has not endorsed the G7’s joint statement on de-escalation, there are signs that Washington may still be seeking a broader diplomatic resolution—even as it flexes military posture through enhanced deployments. 

Yet, Trump’s actions have again exposed the underlying fractures within the G7. His refusal to sign the joint communique on Iran, coupled with his support for Russian President Vladimir Putin and continued tariff disputes with allies, has thrown the summit’s unity into disarray. A European diplomat noted that without Trump’s sign-off, most G7 declarations are unlikely to be finalized, even if a joint statement is released. 

Despite this diplomatic uncertainty, the U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed that Trump is still aiming for a nuclear deal with Iran. “Our forces are positioned defensively in the region to maintain strength while working toward a peaceful resolution,” he said. This dual strategy—deterrence and diplomacy—mirrors past Trump-era tactics: unpredictable, high-pressure, and often unilateral. 

The timing of the escalation is critical. While the U.S. insists it is not participating in Israeli offensive operations, American influence—through arms, intelligence, and strategic cover—remains central to the conflict’s dynamics. The call to evacuate Tehran, followed by reports of explosions in the Iranian capital, underscores the volatile immediacy of the threat. In parallel, Israeli cities like Tel Aviv are facing renewed missile threats, intensifying the human and geopolitical stakes. 

Trump’s early exit also means missing meetings with other key world leaders, including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum. The optics—leaving a high-level summit amid active conflict—signal a shift in America’s global priorities under his leadership, where Middle East instability takes precedence over other pressing global concerns. 

As the world watches anxiously, hopes for a ceasefire hinge precariously on back-channel negotiations and calculated restraint. Whether Trump’s approach yields a breakthrough or drives further division remains uncertain. But one fact is clear: in an increasingly fragmented global order, the G7 is no longer the forum where consensus is guaranteed—and crisis diplomacy is being conducted in real time, often from social media pulpits rather than diplomatic chambers.