Ted Cruz: Arm the Kurds, let them overthrow the Iranian regime
RastinewsUS Republican Senator Ted Cruz argued that military objectives against Iran have largely been achieved and said the next goal should be the fall of the government in Tehran. Rather than sending American troops to Iran, Cruz called for arming Iranian protesters and Kurds.
Republican Senator Ted Cruz answered Kristen Welker's questions on NBC News' "Meet the Press."
Cruz was asked about US President Donald Trump's remarks that the "mission was accomplished" militarily in Iran.
Cruz said he agreed with Trump's assessment and said there were multiple objectives in the Iran war. According to Cruz, the first objective was the elimination of Iran's military capability, and this had largely been achieved at this stage.
However, Cruz is against closing the file on Iran once the war's military objectives are completed.
"As a long-term objective, I want to see the regime collapse," Cruz said, adding that he did not want this to be done by sending American troops to Iran.
Cruz's proposal is to provide weapons to anti-regime forces inside Iran.
"Arm the Kurds"
Cruz issued a direct call to the Trump administration to arm Iranian protesters.
Saying it could not be expected that people who take to the streets in Iran against the regime would face armed security forces with stones, Cruz argued that Washington should supply these groups with weapons.
He then singled out the Kurds in particular:
"Arm the Iranian people. Arm the Kurds and let the protesters overthrow this regime."
Cruz also explained why he mentioned the Kurds separately. The Republican senator said the Kurds "have a long history as effective fighters" and argued they could play a role in the struggle against the regime.
Against sending American troops to Iran
Although Cruz advocates regime change, he said he opposes American ground forces entering Iran.
Cruz, who wants the overthrow of the Iranian government to be carried out by forces within the country, said Washington's role should be to support and arm these groups.
Cruz also said the US should not determine Iran's future government, arguing that any new government formed should not be hostile to the US or theocratic in nature.
Cruz, who has long advocated hardline policies on Iran, was also among the strongest opponents of the nuclear deal signed under the Obama administration. One of those who supported the US withdrawal from the deal during Donald Trump's first term as president, Cruz advocates economic and diplomatic pressure on Iran along with the use of military force when necessary.
Cruz's latest remarks brought regime change directly into the "what happens next?" debate that began following the military operations against Iran. The most notable part of the statement was the Republican senator's explicit call this time for Iranian Kurds specifically to be armed.
Source: NBC News – Meet the Press