Axios: Trump’s war claims

Posted on March 13, 2026 by michelleclarke2015
Trump’s war claims
 
The Strait of Hormuz, which carries about 25% of the world’s seaborne oil supply, is 21 nautical miles wide at its narrowest point, and skirts Iran’s southern border. Satellite image: Gallo Images via Getty Images🇺🇸 

Bulletin: U.S. Central Command said this morning that four of six crew members have been confirmed dead after a U.S. military refueling plane crashed in western Iraq. Rescue efforts continue. The loss of the tanker wasn’t due to hostile fire or friendly fire, CENTCOM said. Get the latest.

President Trump told G7 leaders during a virtual meeting on Wednesday that Iran is “about to surrender,” Axios’ Barak Ravid reports from three officials from G7 countries briefed on the contents of the call.

Why it matters: Trump is as confident about the war’s outcome in private as he is in public. But his assessment is colliding with a more complex reality on the ground.24 hours after the call, Iran’s new supreme leader issued his first public statement vowing to keep fighting.

The Iranian regime has shown no signs of imminent surrender or collapse — and on Day 14 of the war, is moving to gain more leverage by choking off the Strait of Hormuz. Behind the scenes: Trump boasted about the results of Operation Epic Fury on the G7 call Wednesday morning, telling allies, “I got rid of a cancer that was threatening us all.

“While claiming Iran was about to surrender, he also suggested there were no officials left alive in Tehran with the power to make that decision.

“Nobody knows who is the leader, so there is no one that can announce surrender,” Trump said, according to two officials briefed on the call.

Trump has mocked Iran’s new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, as a “lightweight,” previously telling Axios that Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s son would be “unacceptable” to the U.S.

In a message read out on state television yesterday, Mojtaba Khamenei said Iran will continue to threaten the Strait of Hormuz, where attacks on tankers have already pushed oil prices above $100 a barrel and triggered fears of a global economic crisis. 

The big picture: All of the other leaders on the call urged Trump to end the war quickly, stressing that the Strait of Hormuz must be secured as soon as possible, two officials briefed on the call tell Axios.

Trump said the Hormuz situation is improving and that commercial ships should resume operations in the area, an official briefed on the call said. At least two tankers were set ablaze off the coast of Iraq that night.

Trump was “ambiguous and noncommittal” on his objectives and timeline for ending the war, sources said. Some participants left the call believing he wants to wind it down — others felt the complete opposite.

Trump gave no deadline but said “we need to finish the job” to avoid another war with Iran in five years.Today’s New York Times, Financial Times headlines 

Between the lines: As the Hormuz crisis drives oil prices above $100, Russia — a major oil producer — stands to benefit.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron urged Trump on the call not to allow Moscow to exploit the war or receive sanctions relief, two officials said.

Hours later, Putin envoy Kirill Dmitriev met in Florida with Trump advisers Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to discuss the global energy crisis.Share this story.

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About michelleclarke2015

Life event that changes all: Horse riding accident in Zimbabwe in 1993, a fractured skull et al including bipolar anxiety, chronic fatigue …. co-morbidities (Nietzche 'He who has the reason why can deal with any how' details my health history from 1993 to date). 17th 2017 August operation for breast cancer (no indications just an appointment came from BreastCheck through the Post). Trinity College Dublin Business Economics and Social Studies (but no degree) 1997-2003; UCD 1997/1998 night classes) essays, projects, writings. Trinity Horizon Programme 1997/98 (Centre for Women Studies Trinity College Dublin/St. Patrick's Foundation (Professor McKeon) EU Horizon funded: research study of 15 women (I was one of this group and it became the cornerstone of my journey to now 2017) over 9 mth period diagnosed with depression and their reintegration into society, with special emphasis on work, arts, further education; Notes from time at Trinity Horizon Project 1997/98; Articles written for Irishhealth.com 2003/2004; St Patricks Foundation monthly lecture notes for a specific period in time; Selection of Poetry including poems written by people I know; Quotations 1998-2017; other writings mainly with theme of social justice under the heading Citizen Journalism Ireland. Letters written to friends about life in Zimbabwe; Family history including Michael Comyn KC, my grandfather, my grandmother's family, the O'Donnellan ffrench Blake-Forsters; Moral wrong: An acrimonious divorce but the real injustice was the Catholic Church granting an annulment – you can read it and make your own judgment, I have mine. Topics I have written about include annual Brain Awareness week, Mashonaland Irish Associataion in Zimbabwe, Suicide (a life sentence to those left behind); Nostalgia: Tara Hill, Co. Meath.
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