Ted Cruz Discloses Role in Pushing Trump Toward Iran Military Strike
In a revealing interview, Senator Ted Cruz admitted that he personally urged former President Donald Trump to proceed with military action against Iran just one day before the conflict erupted. Cruz detailed his advice, emphasizing that Iran's regime was at its most vulnerable point and that its potential collapse would significantly enhance United States security.
Private Discussions on Air Force One and in the Presidential Limo
Cruz recounted the events during the 'Triggernometry podcast,' stating, "Look, I urged the President to launch this attack. As you noted, I was with him pretty much the entire day on Friday before the attack launched on Saturday." He described being on Air Force One with Trump, flying to Texas for an event in Corpus Christi, and then being invited into the presidential limo, known as the Beast, for a one-on-one conversation.
"And pretty much the whole time he was asking me what I thought we should do on Iran," Cruz said. He expressed strong opposition to diplomatic negotiations with Iran, labeling the regime as untrustworthy. "I don’t believe they’re negotiating in good faith. They are liars. I think the Ayatollah just wants to delay and delay and delay while they rebuild," he added, advocating for decisive action over diplomatic options.
Ongoing Conflict and Regional Escalation
The conflict has intensified since Cruz's advice, with Israel's military conducting fresh overnight strikes on Iran. Authorities report that more than 1,300 civilians have been killed since the war began. A prolonged internet blackout in Iran, now in its fourth week according to monitoring group NetBlocks, is exacerbating conditions for millions of civilians, cutting them off from independent information and emergency alerts.
Israeli forces have also continued bombardments in Lebanon, including strikes on the capital, Beirut, further escalating regional tensions.
US Military Actions and Assessments
Meanwhile, Admiral Brad Cooper of U.S. Central Command provided an update on American involvement, stating that U.S. forces have hit more than 8,000 military targets during the conflict. This includes 130 Iranian vessels, which he described as the most significant destruction of a navy over a three-week period since World War II. Cooper noted that Iran's military capabilities are steadily weakening as a result of these operations.
The situation remains fluid, with Iran vowing tit-for-tat strikes after Trump's ultimatum and threats to target US-Israel energy facilities. Additionally, former Pakistani envoys have made provocative statements, suggesting attacks on Indian cities like Delhi and Mumbai if America strikes Iran, adding another layer of complexity to the geopolitical landscape.
Intel agencies, including the CIA and Mossad, are probing power vacuums in Iran, questioning who commands Tehran amid doubts over Mojtaba's control, highlighting internal uncertainties within the Iranian regime.
