US President Donald Trump on Tuesday dismissed suggestions that his early departure from the G7 Summit in Canada was tied to efforts at brokering a ceasefire between Israel and Iran, directly contradicting comments made by French President Emmanuel Macron.

In a strongly worded post on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump said, "Publicity seeking President Emmanuel Macron, of France, mistakenly said that I left the G7 Summit, in Canada, to go back to D.C. to work on a 'cease fire' between Israel and Iran. Wrong! He has no idea why I am now on my way to Washington, but it certainly has nothing to do with a Cease Fire. Much bigger than that. Whether purposely or not, Emmanuel always gets it wrong. Stay Tuned!"

 

 

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What Did Macron Said?

In a press conference during the G7 Summit, French President Emmanuel Macron had previously suggested that Trump's withdrawal was connected to diplomatic efforts for the growing Israel-Iran crisis. "There is an offer to sit down and trade. An offer has been made, particularly to secure a ceasefire and then initiate larger conversations," Macron stated, referencing continuing backchannel negotiations. Macron, who has adopted a centrist position in the crisis, also cautioned against any push for regime change in Iran as a "strategic mistake." He called on all sides to safeguard civilians and commit to serious talks. "Because the US promised they will arrive at a ceasefire and because they can put pressure on Israel, maybe the situation will shift," Macron said. Macron also reaffirmed that "bombing from outside cannot save a country," in an implicit reference to military action in the region. He urged safeguarding civilians and preventing mass conflict that would destabilize the wider Middle East.

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Trump's remarks come amid rising international demands for de-escalation in West Asia, after a recent escalation in tensions between Israel and Iran. Even though Trump denies this, French authorities maintain that a ceasefire offer has been put "on the table" through wider diplomatic backchannel diplomacy. Although no confirmation has come out of Washington, a number of leaders at the G7 are said to support renewed negotiations to avert increasing regional instability.