Former U.S. President Donald Trump has called for the immediate evacuation of Tehran's approximately 10 million residents, citing Iran's alleged refusal to halt its nuclear program amid escalating tensions with Israel.
In a post on his Truth Social platform on Monday, Trump stated: "What a shame, and waste of human life. Simply stated, IRAN CAN NOT HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON. I said it over and over again! Everyone should immediately evacuate Tehran!"
This dramatic call comes as the Middle East faces heightened instability following days of Israeli airstrikes targeting Iranian facilities. Tehran, Iran's capital and most populous city, has been placed on high alert, though evacuating such a massive urban center presents enormous logistical challenges.
Practical Challenges to Evacuation
Air travel across the region has been severely restricted, with airports in Iran and neighboring countries either closed or operating under significant limitations. Many roads leading in and out of Tehran have been blocked due to security concerns, making a mass evacuation nearly impossible to execute.
Trump's statement represents a significant escalation in rhetoric. While initially opposed to Israeli military action against Iran, he later expressed reluctant support for Israel's operations.
Diplomatic Tensions
BenriNews reports that despite Trump's alignment with Israel's position, the White House indicated earlier on Monday that he would not endorse any potential G7 communiqué calling for de-escalation in the region.
Last month, Iran and the United States held talks in Rome regarding the Islamic Republic's uranium enrichment activities, a central issue in ongoing nuclear negotiations. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi had expressed cautious optimism following these discussions, but tensions have only intensified since then, with continued disputes over enrichment levels and international monitoring protocols.
The Trump administration, while publicly advocating for restraint, has reinforced its support for Israel by deploying a second aircraft carrier and additional warships equipped with ballistic missile defense systems to the region.
In related developments, the G7 has affirmed Israel's right to self-defense while labeling Iran as the "Principal Source" of regional instability. Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu has suggested that Israel could potentially target Iran's supreme leader Khamenei, further escalating the rhetoric between the two nations.
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