UNITED States (US) President, Donald Trump, has called on residents of Tehran to “immediately evacuate,” citing what he described as the Iranian regime’s continued refusal to curb its nuclear ambitions.
In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump sharply criticised Iran’s leadership, declaring: “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 comes amid escalating tensions in the Middle East following days of Israeli airstrikes on Iranian targets. Tehran, a sprawling metropolis with nearly 10 million residents, has been on high alert.
However, evacuating such a densely populated city presents major logistical challenges. Air travel has been heavily restricted across the region, with airports in Iran and several neighbouring countries either closed or operating under severe limitations. Many roads in and out of the capital have also been blocked due to security concerns.
Trump’s statement marks a dramatic escalation in rhetoric. Although initially opposed to Israeli military action against Iran, he later voiced reluctant support.
Despite aligning with Israel’s position, the White House said Trump would not endorse any potential G7 communiqué calling for de-escalation.
Iran and the US held talks in Rome last month over the Islamic Republic’s uranium enrichment activities, a key sticking point in nuclear negotiations.
Iranian Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, expressed cautious optimism at the time, but tensions have only risen since, with continued disputes over enrichment levels and international monitoring.
The Trump administration, while pushing for restraint, has reinforced its support for Israel by dispatching a second aircraft carrier and additional warships equipped with ballistic missile defence systems to the region.
Meanwhile, hunger and apprehension was widespread among residents of Tehran following Trump’s evacuation warning.
One resident said: “I hear traffic is still jammed on routes leading out of the capital. Some people left early this morning after waking up and seeing the evacuation news. Some left yesterday. Some the day before.
“The city seemed empty before I left today, but I know many people are still at home in Tehran with nowhere to go.
“Although I know some are offering their houses outside Tehran to others and giving lifts to those without cars, leaving isn’t an option for everyone.
“A friend who decided to stay with their family tells me: ‘Grandpa is 90 and has kidney failure, and grandma recently had knee surgery. They can’t travel long hours on the road.” So, the whole family is staying in case the elderly need help.
Access to medication, hospitals and clinics is much more difficult once you leave Tehran for remote areas, so it’s not an option for everyone to evacuate.
“Most of my neighbours are gone, but I’ve stayed. Where can I go? My whole life is here in Tehran,” another resident said.
“If the Islamic Republic cared about people’s lives even a bit, it would’ve made some effort to evacuate the city after all these warnings, not just left poor people trying to escape with thousand struggles,” he added.
Iranian officials have not issued any evacuation order for the capital, calling the warnings “enemy psychological warfare,” insistimg the capital city was safe, even as it continues to be attacked by Israel daily.
But Trump had insisted that Iran “cannot have a nuclear weapon,” adding: “I just want people to be safe.”
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