Senator Ted Cruz advocated for the United States to provide weapons to protesters in Iran on Tuesday, as domestic turmoil persists and militias supported by Iran made threats against the U.S.
“We should be arming the protesters in Iran. NOW,” Cruz stated in a social media post on X.
“For the Iranian people to overthrow the Ayatollah — a tyrant who routinely chants ‘death to America’ — would make America much, much safer,” the Republican from Texas further commented.
Cruz was replying to a separate post from Tehran Bureau, which quoted an internal source describing a quickly worsening situation within Iran, where security forces are persistently suppressing protests.
“From a trusted source in Tehran: Tell all of your friends [abroad] — everyone you know: there is absolutely nothing else we can do here inside Iran,” the post stated.
“They are killing people in such ways, they’ve descended upon people so brutally, they’re attacking us in such ways… We’ve lost so many lives that no one dares go out anymore. They shoot directly with bullets. They kill outright. And even after killing, they come and behead you, and do countless other violent things to you,” it went on.
“Going out into the streets is literally suicide. It’s not about bravery anymore. It’s madness. You go out and they shoot you point-blank. They don’t even ask why you came. They just kill you,” the post added. “There is absolutely no way for us to resist, unless we were armed like them. Otherwise they have weapons everywhere.”
Activist organizations estimate that over 6,000 individuals have been killed in Iran, with more cases still being examined.
Reports indicate the demonstrations started in late December, fueled by broad public frustration with economic difficulties, political oppression, and corruption.
Cruz’s online statement followed warnings from Iran-aligned armed groups to the U.S., promising retaliation for any American assault on Iran, coinciding with the Trump administration deploying military assets to the area.
One militia declared it was ready for “total war” should the U.S. strike Iran, as reported by media outlets.
The leader of the group, Abu Hussein al-Hamidawi, said adversaries of the Islamic Republic would encounter “the bitterest forms of death.”
“You will taste every form of deadly suffering, nothing of you will remain in our region, and we will strike terror in your hearts,” the message declared.
In a related development, another group menaced to resume assaults on ships in the Red Sea, publishing a video on Monday of a vessel on fire with the caption “Soon,” according to an Associated Press report.
As Fox Digital had earlier noted, President Donald Trump suggested Iran seemed to be pursuing talks with the U.S. during the increasing military mobilization, telling Axios, “They want to make a deal. I know so. They are ready. They want to talk.”
Tensions remained heightened in the Middle East on Monday as the internal conflict in Iran intensified.
Fox Digital has contacted Senator Ted Cruz’s office seeking additional comment.