Ted Cruz Urges Trump to Arm Iranian Protesters

U.S. Senator Ted Cruz is urging President Donald Trump to arm protesters within Iran to facilitate the collapse of the Iranian government. The proposal follows a six-month period of conflict between the United States and Iran marked by alternating military strikes and diplomatic attempts.

Cruz criticized a June memorandum of understanding as a disaster, arguing that the U.S. should maintain a blockade on Iranian ports and continue striking military targets. While Trump previously encouraged Iranians to oust their government, he has recently shifted toward seeking a diplomatic deal.

This strategic divide extends to the Republican Party. Vice President JD Vance has defended the administration's willingness to negotiate to secure shipping traffic in the Strait of Hormuz. Conversely, Senators Bill Cassidy and Tom Cotton have condemned the diplomatic overtures as foreign policy blunders.