Tucker Carlson and Senator Ted Cruz Clash Over U.S. Role in Israel-Iran Conflict During Fiery Interview

A heated debate erupted between former Fox News host Tucker Carlson and Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) during a tense interview about the United States’ possible involvement in Israel’s ongoing military actions against Iran. The interview, set to air on Carlson’s show on X (formerly Twitter), showcased a sharp ideological divide between the two conservatives over foreign policy and the potential for escalation in the Middle East.

The discussion centered around Israel’s continued strikes on Iranian military leaders and nuclear infrastructure. These actions, which have reportedly included assassinations of nuclear scientists and senior military figures, are part of Israel’s broader effort to halt what it sees as Iran’s pursuit of nuclear weapons. While Iran insists its nuclear program is purely for civilian energy purposes, international watchdogs like the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) have expressed concerns over Iran’s lack of transparency.

Cruz strongly defended Israel’s operations and called for U.S. support, including potential regime change in Tehran. Carlson, on the other hand, warned against deeper American involvement, arguing that launching or supporting military actions in Iran could drag the U.S. into another endless war.

What began as a policy discussion quickly turned into a personal and pointed exchange. At one moment, Carlson grilled Cruz on basic facts about Iran, including its population and demographics—questions that Cruz struggled to answer.

“How many people live in Iran, by the way?” Carlson asked.

“I don’t know the population,” Cruz responded.

“You don’t know the population of the country you want to topple?” Carlson pressed.

“It’s not relevant whether it’s 80 million or 100 million,” Cruz shot back, clearly irritated. “That doesn’t change the threat.”

Carlson argued that understanding the basic makeup of a country—its population, ethnic groups, and religious sects—should be fundamental knowledge for anyone advocating regime change.

Cruz countered by accusing Carlson of downplaying the threat posed by Iran, referencing past interviews in which Carlson criticized the U.S. decision to assassinate Iranian General Qassem Soleimani in 2020. “You didn’t support killing Soleimani. That says a lot,” Cruz jabbed.

Carlson pushed back, asking whether Cruz truly believed Iran was attempting to assassinate former President Donald Trump, as Cruz had claimed. “If you really believe they’re trying to murder Trump, why aren’t you calling for direct military retaliation?” Carlson asked.

Cruz replied, “We are supporting Israel’s strikes. I said ‘we’—because the U.S. is backing them.”

Carlson quickly pointed out that the National Security Council had just denied any direct American involvement in Israel’s current military operations, citing an official statement released Tuesday night.

“Are you saying the U.S. is at war with Iran?” Carlson asked pointedly. “That’s a serious claim for a sitting senator to make.”

Cruz clarified, “We’re not dropping bombs ourselves, but we are giving Israel the green light and support.”

The sparring continued with both men accusing the other of misunderstanding the stakes. Carlson warned that escalating military involvement in Iran could be disastrous for American interests and lead to another prolonged conflict. Cruz maintained that a nuclear-armed Iran poses a direct threat not just to Israel, but to global security, and therefore requires a forceful response.

The exchange highlights a growing divide within the Republican Party and among conservatives more broadly. While hawkish voices like Cruz’s continue to argue for a proactive military posture abroad, a rising faction of non-interventionists, represented by figures like Carlson, are urging caution and a more restrained foreign policy.

The debate also reflects growing tension over the extent of the U.S.-Israel military relationship, especially in light of recent reports suggesting Israel has intensified its targeting of Iranian facilities with U.S. intelligence and logistical support.

President Donald Trump, who returned early from the G7 summit in Canada earlier this week, held a meeting with his National Security Council late Tuesday to assess the unfolding situation. So far, the administration has not publicly committed to military intervention, though behind-the-scenes coordination with Israeli forces appears to be ongoing.

Meanwhile, Israeli operations targeting Iran’s nuclear and air defense infrastructure continued through Wednesday, raising fears that the region could be on the brink of a wider conflict.

The Carlson-Cruz interview is expected to ignite further debate among conservatives over the U.S. role in the Middle East, and whether supporting Israel’s campaign against Iran could lead America into another costly entanglement.