June 17, 2025 — In a dramatic escalation of rhetoric, U.S. President Donald Trump has called for an immediate evacuation of Tehran, Iran’s capital, as the region teeters on the edge of a broader conflict. The warning comes amid intensifying hostilities between Iran and Israel, which have unleashed devastating consequences for both nations and raised fears of a wider war.
In a fiery post on Truth Social, Trump lambasted Iran’s nuclear ambitions, accusing the nation of squandering a chance to secure a diplomatic deal. “Iran must never be allowed to possess nuclear weapons. I repeat: everyone needs to leave Tehran NOW!” he declared, underscoring the gravity of the unfolding crisis. His statement follows Israel’s large-scale military operation, dubbed “Rising Lion,” launched on June 13, and Iran’s retaliatory barrage of over 900 missiles and drones, which struck both military and civilian targets.
The toll of the conflict is staggering. According to The Times of Israel, at least 62 people have been killed in Israel, while Iran’s Tasnim news agency reports over 500 deaths, many of them civilians. Tehran has been hit particularly hard, with reports of widespread power outages, civil unrest, and even escapes from rehabilitation facilities, as confirmed by independent sources. Israel’s airstrikes have targeted key Iranian infrastructure, including the Natanz nuclear facility, while Iran’s counterattacks have caused significant destruction in residential areas.
Adding to the sense of urgency, Trump abruptly left the G7 summit in Canada to return to Washington, citing the need to address the crisis. His press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, described the move as a response to the rapidly deteriorating situation. While the U.S. has not directly engaged in combat, it has bolstered its regional presence, deploying the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier and refueling planes to Europe. Analysts at Bloomberg suggest this could signal preparations for a potential escalation of military involvement.
Inside Iran, the situation is increasingly volatile. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, reportedly sheltering in a bunker in Tehran’s Lavizan district, has vowed severe retaliation, according to Iran International. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has launched its ninth wave of attacks under “True Promise-3,” deploying advanced Shahed-107 drones capable of traveling up to 1,500 kilometers.
Trump’s evacuation call is more than a precaution—it’s a stark warning of how quickly the region could spiral into chaos. Humanitarian organizations are bracing for a potential refugee crisis, while diplomats scramble to find pathways to de-escalation. As tensions mount, the international community is left grappling with the prospect of a conflict that could reshape the Middle East for years to come.