US senator urges arming Iranian protesters and Kurds to topple regime

Republican Senator Ted Cruz has voiced support for US President Donald Trump’s assertion that the military mission in Iran is “accomplished,” while stressing the need to move to a new phase focused on arming Iranian protesters and Kurds to overthrow the regime.

In an interview with NBC on Sunday, Cruz said the United States had achieved the main military objectives set by the Trump administration, noting that Iran’s military capabilities had been “decisively destroyed.”

Cruz’s remarks came after anchor Kristen Welker questioned Trump’s declaration of mission completion, despite the war entering its sixth month when initial expectations were for it to end within weeks.

Details of military operations

Cruz stated that the primary military mission was to destroy Iran’s capabilities, explaining that nearly all of Iran’s ballistic missile and drone stockpiles had been wiped out, and manufacturing facilities leveled. He added that Iran’s air force was in ruins, its navy sunk to the ocean floor, and much of its senior leadership eliminated.

He also noted that the naval blockade is costing Iran an estimated $500 million per day, describing the Iranian economy as being in “free fall.”

Call to arm the opposition

Cruz emphasized that achieving military objectives should not mark the end of the US campaign, calling for regime change in Iran as a long-term goal. He said, “What I am urging is for President Trump and the administration to arm the protesters, the people of Iran, and also the Kurds, to enable them to remove the regime,” stressing that he was not advocating for deploying US ground troops in Iran.

Cruz estimated that the Iranian regime had killed between 10,000 and 40,000 protesters since the conflict began, arguing it was unjust for unarmed demonstrators to face heavily armed forces.

Republican Party debate

Responding to a question about the continued presence of around 50,000 US troops in the region despite the declared military success, Cruz explained that active combat operations had largely ceased, with only sporadic skirmishes remaining, and the focus had shifted to blockade and economic pressure.

Cruz’s comments come amid growing debate within the Republican Party over the future of the war with Iran, with some advocating for continued economic pressure and others calling for an end to the conflict or a new congressional mandate.

Cruz was among the leading Republican critics of the previous agreement with Iran in June, warning against returning funds or lifting sanctions before concrete nuclear concessions were secured.

Cruz’s statements signal a new phase in the US-Iran conflict, as demands shift from destroying military capabilities to supporting armed internal groups to overthrow the Iranian regime.