From ‘Surrender’ To Escalation: How Trump’s Iran Claim Fell Flat In 24 Hours
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Last Updated:March 13, 2026, 15:28 IST
According to officials familiar with the discussion, Trump spoke confidently about the trajectory of the war, boasting about the impact of US military operations.
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US President Donald Trump told Group of Seven (G7) leaders that Iran was “on the verge of surrender" during a virtual meeting on Wednesday, though the claim appeared at odds with events on the ground, including a defiant statement issued the following day by Iran’s newly installed supreme leader.
According to officials familiar with the discussion, Trump spoke confidently about the trajectory of the war, boasting about the impact of US military operations and telling allies he had “got rid of a cancer that was threatening us all."
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At the same time, he reportedly acknowledged uncertainty over Iran’s leadership structure, saying there was no clear authority left in Tehran capable of formally announcing a surrender.
Within 24 hours of the call, Iran’s new supreme leader Mujtaba Khamenei issued his first public message, vowing to continue fighting and to avenge Iranian “martyrs."
In the address, broadcast on state television, Khamenei warned of opening new fronts in the conflict and reiterated threats to disrupt shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global energy corridor.
Despite Trump’s claims, there have been no signs of an imminent collapse of the Iranian regime.
As the war entered its second week, Iran appeared to be seeking greater leverage by intensifying pressure on maritime routes, contributing to oil prices rising above $100 a barrel and fuelling fears of a wider economic shock.
Officials said the G7 call reflected deep concern among US allies over the conflict’s economic fallout. Several leaders urged Trump to bring the war to a swift end and stressed the urgency of securing the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump, however, suggested the situation there was improving and said commercial shipping should resume, even as reports emerged of tanker attacks near Iraq that same night.
Participants described Trump as vague about his objectives and timeline for ending the war.
While he indicated a desire to avoid a repeat conflict with Iran in the future, he offered no deadline, saying only that the US needed to “finish the job." The White House declined to comment on the discussions.
The war has also raised concerns about Russia benefiting from higher energy prices. European leaders, including those of Germany, the UK and France, reportedly warned Trump against allowing Moscow to exploit the crisis or receive sanctions relief.
Hours later, however, the US Treasury announced a one-month waiver on sanctions covering Russian oil already in transit, citing the need to stabilise global energy markets. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the move would not deliver significant financial gains to the Russian government.
The G7 call also featured tense exchanges, officials said, with Trump reportedly criticising UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer for initially withholding access to British bases for strikes on Iran, before later reversing his position.
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