Senator Ted Cruz is urging the Trump administration to abandon diplomatic talks and push for the collapse of Iran’s government by arming anti-regime protesters.

Regime Collapse

Cruz’s hardline stance directly opposes recent White House efforts to negotiate peace. After joint U.S. and Israeli strikes began targeting Iranian military and nuclear sites earlier this year, the administration worked toward diplomatic solutions.

A June memorandum collapsed last month, though new negotiations facilitated by Oman aim to restore shipping traffic in the Strait of Hormuz. Cruz blasted those diplomatic efforts—specifically criticizing potential sanctions relief and $300 billion in development funds—as a “disaster.”

The administration clarified the reconstruction funds would come from private investors and Gulf states, not U.S. taxpayers, but Cruz insists the U.S. should maintain a strict naval blockade on oil exports and continue military pressure instead.

“What I have urged President Trump repeatedly… is arm the protesters, give them the guns, to let them overthrow their own government,” Cruz said, adding he cares little who takes power afterward—including exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi—as long as they are not anti-American.

Republican Party Rift

The dispute highlights a deepening rift within the Republican Party over foreign policy. While lawmakers like Cruz, Sen. Bill Cassidy, and Sen. Tom Cotton favor heavier pressure, others like Sen. Rand Paul oppose the war entirely.

Meanwhile, President Trump has called deal critics “fools,” and Vice President JD Vance defended diplomacy on Joe Rogan’s podcast, arguing military strikes alone cannot protect global shipping lanes without direct talks.

Original reporting: Tampa Free Press — read the source article.