Ted Cruz urges U.S. to arm Iranian protesters to topple Tehran regime

Senator Ted Cruz of Texas called on the Trump administration to abandon diplomatic talks with Iran and instead supply weapons to anti‑government demonstrators, aiming for the collapse of the Islamic Republic. Cruz argued that arming Iranians would avoid U.S. boots on the ground and warned against a proposed $300 billion reconstruction fund, calling it a “bad idea.”

He also urged continued pressure on Iranian military assets, strict economic sanctions, and maintenance of the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, a key oil‑shipping lane that has been disrupted by the conflict that began on Feb. 28 with U.S. and Israeli strikes. The cease‑fire memorandum reached in June unraveled in July, reigniting fighting and disputes over control of the waterway.