Trump Urges Immediate Tehran Evacuation Amid Iran-Israel Tensions, Democratic Senator Pushes for War Powers Limitation

As missiles continue to fly between Iran and Israel, a wave of political and military uncertainty is unfolding in Washington. President Donald Trump issued a stark warning late Monday night, urging all civilians in Tehran to evacuate immediately. 

At the same time, Democratic leaders in Congress are stepping up efforts to limit Trump’s authority to launch military action against Iran without formal approval.

This comes after four consecutive days of military escalation between Iran and Israel, which began when Israel launched multiple missile strikes targeting Iran’s nuclear infrastructure and military leadership. 

With tensions at an all-time high, world leaders gathered at the G7 summit in Canada to address the unfolding crisis, only for Trump to announce an early departure, citing urgent developments in the Middle East.

Trump’s Warning and Early Departure from G7

On Monday evening, Trump took to Truth Social with a message that raised global alarm, “Everyone should immediately evacuate Tehran!” 

He criticized Iran’s refusal to accept a previous nuclear agreement and warned against the possibility of the country acquiring nuclear weapons. “Iran should have signed the ‘deal’ I told them to sign. What a shame, and waste of human life,” Trump wrote.

Shortly after the post, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that the president would be leaving the G7 summit in Canada a day early “because of what’s going on in the Middle East.” 

Trump told reporters, “I have to be back early for obvious reasons,” signaling growing concerns about U.S. involvement in the conflict.

According to NBC News, Trump requested that the National Security Council prepare for a meeting in the Situation Room upon his return to Washington. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is also expected to return with the president.

Read also: Iran Israel War Impact on Crypto

Tehran on Edge

Trump’s call for evacuation mirrored warnings earlier in the day from Israeli officials who advised residents of central Tehran to flee due to ongoing military strikes. 

The suggested evacuation zone includes major urban centers like Iran’s state TV headquarters, police stations, and hospitals operated by the Revolutionary Guard.

Despite Iranian authorities dismissing the warnings as psychological warfare, chaos spread through the city. With no widespread public bomb shelter infrastructure, most of Tehran’s estimated 9.5 million residents were forced to take refuge in basements or subway stations. 

Roads were jammed with traffic as thousands attempted to flee, while others simply had no way out.

War Powers Debate Rekindled in Congress

Back in Washington, Democratic lawmakers are taking legislative steps to ensure the president cannot unilaterally commit U.S. forces to a war with Iran. 

Senator Tim Kaine of Virginia introduced a war powers resolution on Monday that would prohibit the use of American military force against Iran without explicit congressional approval.

“I am deeply concerned that the recent escalation of hostilities between Israel and Iran could quickly pull the United States into another endless conflict,” Kaine said. 

He emphasized that the American people deserve a say before troops are placed in harm’s way. The resolution allows for defensive actions but requires Congress to authorize any offensive military response.

Independent Senator Bernie Sanders also introduced a separate bill that would block federal funding for military action “in or against Iran” unless Congress formally approves it. Senators Elizabeth Warren and Chris Van Hollen are among the co-sponsors.

“Another war in the Middle East could cost countless lives, waste trillions more dollars, and lead to more displacement,” said Sanders. 

He has also accused Israel of deliberately escalating tensions to derail diplomatic nuclear talks with Iran, which were canceled shortly after hostilities began.

Read also: Is the Conflict Over? Looking at the Current State of Iran and Israel

Trump’s Stance on Iran and Israel

Donald Trump has taken a firm stance on Iran since his first presidency, withdrawing from the Iran nuclear deal and ordering the killing of Iranian General Qasem Soleimani in 2020. 

This action brought the U.S. and Iran to the brink of war and sparked significant debate in Congress over presidential war powers.

Trump's recent comments suggest he is still prepared to use overwhelming military force if the U.S. is attacked. 

“If we are attacked in any way, shape or form by Iran, the full strength and might of the U.S. Armed Forces will come down on you at levels never seen before,” he said.

Despite this, Trump has also maintained a complex coalition that includes Iran hawks like Senator Lindsey Graham, as well as “America First” allies who oppose foreign interventions. 

Graham, while calling for diplomacy, stated that if war becomes unavoidable, “make sure that there’s nothing left standing in Iran regarding their nuclear program.”

Civilian Toll and International Reactions

As of Monday, at least 224 people have been reported killed in Iran due to the ongoing strikes, including civilians. In Israel, 24 deaths have been confirmed. A missile strike even hit an Iranian television network while it was live on air, further illustrating the intensity of the conflict.

Iran has reportedly reached out through Arab intermediaries expressing interest in continuing nuclear negotiations with the U.S., though so far, no formal steps have been taken.

Meanwhile, the G7 summit was expected to release a joint statement calling for restraint from both Iran and Israel. However, Trump declined to sign the document, avoiding any official endorsement of its message.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What did Donald Trump say about Iran and the current conflict?

Donald Trump warned that everyone in Tehran should evacuate immediately amid escalating tensions with Israel. He also reiterated that Iran must not be allowed to acquire nuclear weapons.

Why did Trump leave the G7 summit early?

Trump left the G7 summit in Canada ahead of schedule to return to Washington due to the ongoing Iran-Israel conflict. Reports indicate he has convened a meeting with the National Security Council.

What are Democrats doing to limit Trump’s war powers?

Senator Tim Kaine introduced a war powers resolution to block any military action against Iran without congressional approval. Bernie Sanders also proposed a bill to restrict funding for such military actions.

How is the situation affecting civilians in Tehran?

Many civilians in Tehran are facing evacuation orders, while others are sheltering in basements or subway stations due to the lack of public bomb shelters. Traffic gridlock and panic have worsened the crisis.

Is the United States involved in the Iran-Israel conflict?

At this time, the U.S. has not taken direct military action. However, statements from Trump suggest that U.S. involvement is possible if Iran attacks American interests.