Trump calls for people to “immediately” evacuate in Iran
US President Donald Trump called for people to “immediately” evacuate from Tehran, following rising tensions between Israel and Iran, Middle East Eye reported on June 16th.
In a post on Truth Social, he stated: “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!”
Trump offered no specifics, but his message fuelled speculation that the US could be preparing to directly intervene in the conflict between Israel and Iran, potentially escalating the war, CNN reported on June 16th.
The situation escalated when the USS Nimitz aircraft carrier departed from Southeast Asia after cancelling a scheduled visit to Vietnam. The Pentagon confirmed that it was sending “additional capabilities” to the Middle East in response to the growing crisis.
Ship tracking data has revealed that the carrier was heading through the Malacca Strait towards the Indian Ocean, further indicating the US’s readiness to support Israel in its conflict with Iran.
The violence erupted early on June 13th, when Israel launched unprovoked airstrikes on Iran, killing hundreds and damaging several locations. Iran retaliated with missile attacks on Israel. The escalation resulted in at least 224 civilian deaths in Iran and 24 in Israel.
The ongoing conflict has sparked fears of further escalation, particularly with the potential involvement of the US military. As both nations continue their strikes, tensions remain high, with the situation on the ground becoming increasingly dire.
Middle East Eye, CNN, Maghrebi.org
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