New Delhi,March,13,2026: US President Donald Trump told G7 leaders that Iran is about to surrender during a virtual meeting held on Wednesday, according to a report. The remarks came as tensions continued following recent US and Israeli strikes on Iranian targets.
However, within 24 hours, Iran’s new Supreme Leader issued a statement saying the country would seek revenge for the attacks.
According to the report, Trump made the comments during a call with leaders of the Group of Seven nations. He discussed the outcome of Operation Epic Fury and said the strikes had removed what he described as a threat.
During the conversation, Trump said Iran could not formally announce surrender because there was uncertainty about the country’s leadership. He also told allied leaders that the operation had eliminated a danger that he believed was threatening multiple countries.
G7 leaders on the call urged the United States to move toward ending the conflict quickly. They also stressed the importance of securing the Strait of Hormuz, a key global shipping route.
Trump said the situation in the area was improving and indicated that commercial ships would soon be able to resume operations in the strategic waterway.
However, later the same night, explosive-laden Iranian boats attacked two fuel tankers in Iraqi waters. The attack set the vessels on fire and resulted in the death of one crew member.
Despite Trump’s statement that Iran was close to surrendering, Iranian officials signalled continued resistance. In his first public remarks after assuming leadership, Iran’s new Supreme Leader said the country would not abandon its response to the attacks.
He stated that Iran would not give up avenging those killed in the strikes and said each citizen killed by the enemy represented a case for retaliation.
The new leader also said the Strait of Hormuz should remain closed as leverage against the United States. He added that attacks against neighbouring countries in the Middle East would continue.
Trump criticised Mojtaba Khamenei, describing him as a lightweight and saying his leadership would not be acceptable to the United States. He warned that choosing a leader who continued the previous policies could push the United States back into war within five years.
Before Mojtaba Khamenei was appointed as Iran’s new Supreme Leader following the death of Ali Khamenei, Trump had said the United States should have a role in selecting Iran’s next leader.
In an interview with Fox News, Trump said he was not satisfied with Iran’s choice and questioned whether the new leader would be able to maintain peace.
Experts cited in the report said the leadership change signalled that hardline factions within Iran were consolidating power and indicated that the conflict could continue.
