As the U.S.-Iran conflict enters its sixth month, Texas Republican Senator Ted Cruz has advocated for a more aggressive U.S. stance against Iran's regime. Speaking to CBS News national security analyst Aaron MacLean on the "School of War" podcast on August 7, 2026, Cruz said, "I think our objective should be regime collapse."

Cruz argued that the U.S. should intensify pressure on Iran by arming Iranian protesters who oppose the government. He stated, "What I believe we should do, what I have urged President Trump repeatedly, what I've urged Israel to do repeatedly, is arm the protesters, give them the guns, to let them overthrow their own government so that it's not American boots on the ground, it's Iranians fighting for their own country."

He expressed no preference for who leads the opposition, saying, "I don't have a dog whether it's the son of the Shah, whether it is the [Mojahedin-e-Khalq opposition group], whether it is someone local, as long as they are not an Islamist who hates America and is actively trying to kill Americans," referencing exiled crown prince Reza Pahlavi.

Cruz first called for arming protesters in late January after Iran's crackdown on the country's largest wave of demonstrations in years, which sources told CBS News resulted in at least 12,000 deaths. The stated U.S. goal has been to degrade Iran's conventional military and nuclear capabilities, while President Trump has urged Iranians to "take over your government" and remove the hardline clerical regime that has ruled since 1979.

Cruz criticized a memorandum of understanding related to Iran, calling it a "disaster" and a "terrible deal," warning it could lead to billions in sanctions relief and $300 billion in economic development funds for Iran, potentially allowing Iran a "permanent role with the Strait of Hormuz." He added, "You'll forgive me if I'm not terribly eager to give them $300 billion to facilitate their carrying out their stated intent of murdering us."

The Trump administration clarified in June that the $300 billion in reconstruction funds would be voluntary and sourced from Gulf states and private investors, not the U.S. government.

Sources