HIGHDIPLOMATIC

Axios: Trump privately told G7 leaders Iran is "about to surrender" — as Marines deploy and war escalates

2026-03-13 · 09:00 UTC·Washington D.C. / G7 virtual

Axios reported on Friday March 13 that President Trump told G7 leaders in a private virtual meeting on Wednesday March 11 that Iran is "about to surrender," citing three officials from G7 countries briefed on the call. Reuters confirmed the report. The private claim — made two days before the highest-ever US strike day and the deployment of 2,200 Marines — contradicts the ongoing military escalation and signals Trump believes the war is close to a decisive outcome, though Iran's new Supreme Leader continues to vow continued resistance.

Axios reported on Friday March 13, 2026, citing three officials from G7 countries briefed on the contents of the call, that President Trump told G7 leaders in a private virtual meeting on Wednesday March 11 that Iran is "about to surrender." Reuters independently confirmed the report. The disclosure creates a significant gap between Trump's private diplomatic messaging and the observable trajectory of the war: Day 14 saw the highest-ever number of US strikes on Iranian targets (confirmed by Hegseth), Iran firing a ballistic missile at the Incirlik NATO base in Turkey, and the deployment of USS Tripoli and 2,200 Marines to the region. Iran's new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei issued his first public statement on March 12 vowing to "avenge the martyrs" and continue resistance. Hegseth said on Friday that Khamenei is "wounded and likely disfigured." The US then posted a $10M Rewards for Justice bounty on Khamenei the same day. Trump separately told Fox News Radio on Friday that he had become skeptical Iranians could rise up against their government "right now" — walking back his earlier calls for an internal uprising. The G7 "about to surrender" claim appears to reflect Trump's assessment of Iran's military trajectory rather than a political collapse.

Actor responses

United StatesNEUTRALCLAIM

Trump in private G7 call (March 11, reported Axios March 13): "Iran is about to surrender." Three G7 officials confirmed the statement to Axios. Reuters corroborated.

IranOPPOSINGCONDEMNATION

Iran will never surrender. Trump's claims to G7 allies are propaganda designed to maintain alliance support for an illegal war of aggression. The Islamic Republic stands firm. Our Supreme Leader leads from strength, not defeat.

NATONEUTRALRESPONSE

G7 leaders received Trump's assessment that Iran was close to capitulation. Allied governments are monitoring the situation closely and continue to coordinate on diplomatic and economic pressure.