US President Donald Trump told G7 leaders during a virtual meeting on Wednesday that Iran was "about to surrender," according to officials from G7 countries who were briefed on the call. However, the claim appeared to contradict developments on the ground, including a defiant statement issued by Iran's new supreme leader.
'Iran About to Surrender': Trump
The US President confidently spoke about the trajectory of war, boasting about the impact of US military operations and telling allies he had "got rid of a cancer that was threatening us all," Axios reported, citing three officials from G7 countries briefed on the contents of the call.]
In the same call, he acknowledged uncertainty over Iran's leadership structure, saying that there were no officials left alive in Tehran capable of formally announcing a surrender.
"Nobody knows who the leader is, so there is no one who can announce surrender," Trump said.
Iran's New Supreme Leader Signals Defiance
However, about 24 hours later, Iran's new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, delivered his first public message, vowing that the country would continue fighting. In his public statement since taking office, Mojtaba warned of opening new fronts in the conflict and reiterated threats to disrupt shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical route for global energy supplies.
G7 Leaders Express Concern As Iran Ramps Up Pressure On Oil Routes
As the war entered its second week, Iran appeared to be seeking greater leverage by intensifying pressure on maritime routes, pushing oil prices above $100 a barrel and raising fears of a broader economic shock.
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Officials said the G7 call highlighted deep concern among US allies over the conflict's economic impact. Several leaders urged Trump to bring the war to a swift conclusion and emphasised the urgency of securing the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump, however, suggested that the situation was improving and said commercial shipping should resume, even as reports surfaced of tanker attacks near Iraq that same night.
While he indicated a desire to prevent future conflicts with Iran, he offered no specific deadline, stating only that the US needed to "finish the job." The White House declined to comment on the discussions.