The conflict between Iran and Israel has entered its fifth and most volatile day, prompting U.S. President Donald Trump to call for the immediate evacuation of Tehran and issue renewed warnings against Iran’s nuclear ambitions.
Speaking via his Truth Social platform late Monday, Trump emphasized, “Iran should have signed the ‘deal’ I told them to sign. 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!”
The call came amid a fresh wave of Israeli airstrikes targeting Iranian military infrastructure, including Tehran’s broadcasting headquarters and suspected missile sites. Iranian air defenses were activated in several locations, including Tehran and Natanz, the site of critical nuclear facilities, following suspected Israeli missile attacks. Iranian state media confirmed explosions in eastern Tehran and reported at least three deaths following a strike on national television headquarters.
An attempt to intercept a missile launched from Iran is made, as seen from Hebron, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, June 17, 2025. REUTERS/Mussa Qawasma
Israel reported retaliatory strikes throughout the night, stating it had targeted Iran’s weapons depots and missile launchers. Air raid sirens blared across Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, and Herzliya as Iranian missiles struck back. Israeli officials reported 24 civilian deaths and the evacuation of nearly 3,000 residents, while Iranian authorities claimed 224 fatalities, largely civilians.
As the crisis unfolds, diplomatic activity has intensified. While French President Emmanuel Macron claimed the U.S. had offered a ceasefire proposal, Trump strongly denied this. “Wrong! He has no idea why I am now on my way to Washington, but it certainly has nothing to do with a Cease Fire. Much bigger than that,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
Despite Trump’s denials, Axios reported that U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff may meet with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi later this week, though this has not been independently confirmed. Meanwhile, Iran is reportedly leveraging regional mediators, including Oman, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia, to press the U.S. into restraining Israel in exchange for flexibility in stalled nuclear negotiations.
Araghchi wrote on X: “If President Trump is genuine about diplomacy and interested in stopping this war, next steps are consequential. Israel must halt its aggression, and absent a total cessation of military aggression against us, our responses will continue.”
The Group of Seven (G7) leaders, meeting in Canada, expressed unified concern over the escalation, declaring that “Iran must never have a nuclear weapon,” and affirming Israel’s right to self-defense. However, divisions within the summit emerged over Trump’s support for Israel and previous comments appearing to downplay the consequences of Russia’s 2014 expulsion from the G8.
Trump’s early departure from the G7 raised speculation about back-channel diplomacy efforts, but officials maintain the decision was unrelated to ceasefire talks. U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reiterated that while Washington is open to negotiations, it is committed to defending American interests in the region.
The military exchanges have also impacted global markets. Oil prices surged more than 2% in Asian markets following Trump’s evacuation warning, reversing earlier declines amid signs of diplomatic outreach.
Meanwhile, the Chinese embassy in Israel has advised its citizens to leave the country via land crossings, citing growing security concerns and closed Israeli airspace.
On Monday, the conflict escalated further when Israel struck Iran’s uranium enrichment facility in Natanz. Rafael Grossi, head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), told the BBC that the strike likely destroyed up to 15,000 centrifuges. The Fordow enrichment plant, however, was reportedly left intact.
Peace talks originally scheduled to be held in Oman on June 15 were canceled by Tehran, citing the ongoing Israeli assault as incompatible with diplomacy. Israel, for its part, has vowed to intensify its campaign in the coming days and claims control over Iranian airspace after killing several senior Iranian military leaders and nuclear scientists in earlier strikes.
As the region braces for further escalation, the international community faces mounting pressure to intervene and prevent the conflict from spiraling into a broader regional war.
Written By Rodney Mbua
