On Friday, March 6, US President Trump posted on social media stating that no agreement would be reached unless Iran unconditionally surrenders. The White House subsequently informed the media that only President Trump could decide when Iran would “unconditionally surrender”.
White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt told media reporters on the White House driveway, “The President’s intention is that when he, as the Commander-in-Chief of the US military, determines that Iran no longer poses a threat to the United States, and the goals of the ‘Operation Epic Fury’ have been fully achieved, regardless of whether Iran admits it or not, Iran will effectively be in a state of unconditional surrender.”
“Frankly,” she continued, “not many people will say it on their behalf (unconditional surrender), because the US and Israel have completely eliminated nearly 50 former leaders of terrorist regimes, including the top leader himself.”
During a phone interview with Axios, Trump stated that he may not require an official statement from the authorities in Tehran for Iran to “unconditionally surrender”.
“‘Unconditional surrender’ could mean (Iranians) declaring surrender. But it could also mean they are unable to continue fighting because they no longer have the weapons or power to do so,” he said.
Leavitt said, “President Trump and the US military are thoroughly destroying the rogue terrorist regime of Iran.”
She also provided updates on the progress of “Operation Epic Fury”. “The US military has gained significant air superiority in Iranian airspace and achieved air superiority. We have sunk and destroyed over thirty Iranian naval vessels… In the past 6 days, retaliatory ballistic missile attacks by Iran against the US and its regional allies have decreased by 90%.”
Regarding the issue of future leaders in Iran, Leavitt stated that the US government is considering several candidates to lead Iran. She added that US action objectives in Iran are expected to be achieved within four to six weeks.
She also mentioned that the US has sufficient weapon reserves to meet combat needs related to conflicts with Iran.
On Friday, the price of US crude oil surged by 12% in recent trading to reach $90.85 per barrel, potentially marking the largest single-day increase since May 2020.
Earlier that day, the price of crude oil briefly reached $91.09 per barrel, hitting the highest intraday level since October 2023.
The global benchmark Brent crude oil price rose by 8% in recent trading to reach $92.50 per barrel.
Currently, the Strait of Hormuz is closed, with approximately 20% of the world’s oil passing through the Hormuz Strait for transportation.
Leavitt responded to the issue of the spike in oil prices by stating that in the long run, the objectives of “Operation Epic Fury” will be beneficial for energy, the oil market, and oil prices. This is because there will no longer be a terrorist regime limiting the free flow of energy through the Hormuz Strait.