Trump says all of Tehran should evacuate ‘immediately’

U.S. President Donald Trump posted an ominous message on his social media site, calling for the immediate evacuation of Tehran but later denied reports he had rushed back to Washington to work on a ceasefire.

Israel’s air campaign on the Iranian capital appeared to broaden an intensifying conflict after it issued warnings for about 300,000 people in Tehran to evacuate ahead of airstrikes.

People were seen leaving the city yesterday morning — the fifth day of the intensifying conflict — as shops and the historic Grand Bazaar were closed. Iranian authorities insist everything is under control and no guidance has been issued.

Meanwhile, Bank Sepah, the first bank established in Iran, saw its online services disrupted in an apparent cyberattack. The semiofficial Fars news agency said that will likely cause a disruption at some gasoline stations.

The hackers identified themselves as “Gonjeshke Darande,” or “Predatory Sparrow.” The group has claimed hacking a major steel mill in 2022 and disrupting gas stations in 2023.

Iran, long sanctioned by the West, has difficulties in getting up-to-date hardware and software, often relying on Chinese-manufactured electronics or older systems no longer being patched by manufacturers.