Israel-Iran War Reaches Day 5 with Over 240 Dead; Trump Leaves G7 Early

Photo REUTERS

The war between Israel and Iran has reached its fifth day, leaving behind a trail of destruction, mounting civilian casualties, and deepening global unease. With over 240 confirmed deaths and no ceasefire in sight, the crisis escalated further as U.S. President Donald Trump abruptly left the G7 summit in Canada, casting a shadow over international diplomatic efforts.

Rising Death Toll and Escalating Attacks

Since the initial Israeli airstrikes launched in the early hours of June 13, at least 248 people have been killed — 224 in Iran and 24 in Israel, according to official sources. The Israeli military has targeted nuclear facilities in Natanz and Fordow, along with key military command centers, in a strategic attempt to cripple Iran’s nuclear infrastructure.

Israel claims to have destroyed a significant portion of Iran’s missile launch capabilities, but Iran has retaliated with drone and missile strikes on Israeli cities, including Haifa and parts of Tel Aviv, resulting in civilian casualties and large-scale blackouts.

In Tehran, chaos reigns. Thousands of civilians are desperately trying to flee the capital following Trump’s social media warning on Truth Social: “Everyone must evacuate Tehran immediately!” Subway stations have turned into makeshift shelters, while traffic jams and fuel shortages are leaving many stranded under a looming sense of dread.

Trump Walks Out of G7 Amid Crisis

The intensifying conflict forced President Donald Trump to cut short his attendance at the G7 Summit in Alberta, Canada. According to a White House statement, Trump’s early departure was to “personally lead critical decisions” regarding the Middle East crisis.

Leaders such as Emmanuel Macron and Justin Trudeau had pushed for a joint ceasefire proposal. Macron stated that "a concrete truce offer was on the table." But Trump dismissed the idea, accusing Macron of seeking "publicity over substance."

Speaking briefly before boarding Air Force One, Trump reinforced his stance: “Iran will never have nuclear weapons. What we want is not a pause — it’s a real end to this threat.”

Trump’s sudden exit was met with frustration from other G7 leaders, many of whom were working behind the scenes to coordinate a multilateral peace effort. Diplomatic sources confirm that efforts to bring Russia and China into a mediation framework have so far failed.

Regional Threat and Military Posturing

Meanwhile, the USS Nimitz and USS Carl Vinson aircraft carriers are now stationed in the Persian Gulf, signaling an increased U.S. military presence — though no direct strikes have been authorized yet. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has called an emergency meeting to assess nuclear safety risks after reports of damage near Iranian enrichment facilities.

Countries such as China, India, and Germany have evacuated their nationals from Iranian territory, while the UK has raised its threat level for embassies across the region. The UN Security Council is expected to debate a formal ceasefire resolution, supported by the EU and several moderate Arab states.

A Path to Peace — or Prolonged War?

Despite rising casualties and economic disruption, neither Israel nor Iran appears willing to back down. Israel insists its actions are “legitimate preemptive measures,” while Iran accuses Israel of “Zionist aggression backed by U.S. imperialism.”

With both sides hardened in their rhetoric, international analysts warn that without immediate external mediation, the conflict could spiral into a broader regional war. The question that now grips the world: Is diplomacy still possible — or has the red line already been crossed?