Amid surging tensions in the Middle East, US President Donald Trump has decided to leave the G7 summit in Canada ahead of schedule. The White House attributed the decision to “what’s going on in the Middle East,” without providing further details.
President Trump, who arrived in Alberta on Sunday for the high-level gathering, held meetings with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer. He was expected to stay until Tuesday, but Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed late Monday that the president would return to Washington following a dinner with other heads of state.
“Much was accomplished,” Leavitt posted on X, “but because of developments in the Middle East, President Trump will depart tonight.”
When asked about his early departure, Trump simply said: “I have to be back early for obvious reasons. They understand. This is big stuff.” The White House later issued a statement saying the president would be attending to “many important matters.”
The annual G7 summit—hosted this year by Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney—brings together leaders from France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK, and the US. Guests from India, Australia, and Brazil were also in attendance. However, the deepening crisis between Iran and Israel has overshadowed key discussions on global trade and the war in Ukraine.
Trump’s sudden return to Washington comes as he faces mounting domestic and international pressure over how to respond to Iran’s expanding nuclear ambitions. Israeli leaders are urging Washington to take direct military action—specifically calling for the US to neutralize Iran’s fortified Fordow nuclear site buried deep underground.
Adding to the complexity, French President Emmanuel Macron told reporters at the summit that Trump may propose a ceasefire initiative to de-escalate the conflict. “There is an offer on the table to get both sides to agree to a ceasefire and begin wider talks,” Macron said. He also warned Israel against seeking regime change in Tehran, calling such an outcome “a strategic mistake.”
“The priority must be to protect civilians,” Macron added. “Those who believe that bombing from the outside can save a nation have always been proven wrong.”
Despite the abrupt exit, the White House insists that the trip yielded results—including a newly signed tariff agreement between Trump and UK Prime Minister Starmer.
As the fifth day of the Israel-Iran confrontation unfolds, all eyes are now on Washington, where President Trump is expected to decide whether the United States will take a more direct role in the conflict—or seek a diplomatic off-ramp.
