Three G7 officials said that Trump told G7 leaders in a virtual meeting on Wednesday that Iran was “about to surrender.” But 24 hours later, Iran’s new Supreme Leader issued his first public statement, vowing to continue the fight. Trump’s assessment contradicts the complex reality that the Iranian regime has shown no signs of imminent surrender or collapse and is attempting to gain more leverage by blocking the Strait of Hormuz. In the G7 call Wednesday morning, Trump boasted about the results of Operation Epic Fury and told allies, “I’ve cleared a cancer that was threatening all of us.” While claiming Iran was about to surrender, he also implied that no Iranian officials capable of making that decision were still alive. According to two officials familiar with the call, Trump said, “Nobody knows who the leader is, so nobody can declare surrender.” (Jin Shi)