New York, March 13: US President Donald Trump told G7 leaders during a virtual meeting that Iran is "about to surrender," according to an Axios report citing three officials briefed on the call. Donald Trump expressed high confidence in the outcome of the ongoing conflict, stating that the US military has "got rid of a cancer that was threatening us all" following nearly two weeks of intensive strikes under Operation Epic Fury.

Despite these private assertions of an imminent victory, the situation on the ground remained volatile on Friday, March 13, as Iran's new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, vowed to continue the fight and threatened to choke off the strategic Strait of Hormuz. Donald Trump Issues New Threat Online to Iran, Says ‘What Great Honor It Is To Do So’.

Donald Trump Claims Iran Is ‘About To Surrender'

The US President's remarks to the Group of Seven come at a critical juncture as the war enters its third week. During the call, Donald Trump claimed that the Iranian leadership is in such a state of disarray that there are no officials left in Tehran capable of formally announcing a surrender.

"Nobody knows who the leader is, so there is no one that can announce surrender," Trump reportedly said, even as Tehran continues to launch retaliatory missile and drone strikes. Meanwhile, G7 allies have expressed mounting concern over the war’s economic fallout, specifically urging the US to secure the Strait of Hormuz to prevent global oil prices from spiking further. Donald Trump Says US Could Knock Out Iran’s Electricity Infrastructure Within an Hour (Watch Video).

President Trump has privately doubled down on the idea that Iran’s conventional military capabilities, including its air force, navy, and air defense, have been "decimated." In his G7 briefing, he highlighted the success of Operation Epic Fury, characterising the Iranian regime as being on the brink of collapse.

However, these claims of a swift end contrast with reports of continued heavy resistance. While Trump signaled his intention to wind down the conflict "very, very quickly," Iranian state media has broadcasted a defiant message from Mojtaba Khamenei, who succeeded his father following the initial US strikes. The new leader has called for the closure of all US bases in the region and warned of "vengeance" until their objectives are achieved.

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(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Mar 13, 2026 05:30 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).