Trump exits G7 summit as tensions rise over Israel-Iran conflict

Regional rivals trade missile strikes for fifth day

FT 17-06-2025 Edited by George Russell in Hong Kong and Jonathan Wheatley and Philip Georgiadis in London

Trump exits G7 summit as tensions rise over Israel-Iran conflict

Donald Trump has left the G7 summit in Canada early to return to Washington as the conflict between Israel and Iran intensified.

The US president said his exit had “nothing to do with a CeaseFire”, rejecting a statement from French President Emmanuel Macron, who said Trump had told G7 leaders that discussions to secure a ceasefire between the regional rivals were under way.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump said his departure was triggered by something “much bigger than that”, without elaborating.

“Whether purposely or not, Emmanuel always gets it wrong. Stay Tuned!” Trump wrote.

Shortly before Trump’s exit, G7 countries including the US called for a resolution of the conflict and a “broader de-escalation” in the Middle East.

The president had initially resisted signing up to the G7 statement and issued increasingly hawkish statements on the war, including a warning to evacuate Tehran.

Iran has said it will only agree to negotiate an end to the conflict with Israel and resume talks over its nuclear programme if Israeli forces halt their bombing campaign, according to diplomats.

Israel has continued to launch waves of missiles into Iran since it began its attack on Friday. Iran has retaliated with volleys of missiles across Israel. Both sides have sustained casualties.