The central conflict revolves around the level of US involvement in recent Israeli attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities. Cruz asserts US support for these strikes, while Carlson challenges this claim, highlighting denials from the White House. This disagreement underscores a widening division between prominent figures within the Trump-aligned political sphere.
During their exchange, the discussion veered into a brief debate about the ethnic and religious composition of Iran's population. While both agreed on the majority Persian and Shiite Muslim demographics, a minor disagreement occurred over specific percentages, showcasing a difference in focus and preparedness on the topic.
Trump's recent social media posts demanding Iran's "unconditional surrender" and hinting at the assassination of Ayatollah Khamenei, along with his claim of "total control" over Iranian airspace, further complicate the situation. Cruz echoed this language, strengthening Carlson's skepticism about the official narrative.
Carlson emphasized the gravity of the situation, arguing that the claim of US involvement in a war with Iran constitutes breaking news. This pointedly challenges Cruzâs statement and raises concerns about the potential ramifications of the differing narratives and lack of clarity on US foreign policy regarding Iran.
After they argued whether it was a relevant statistic, Carlson asked Cruz if he knew the ethnic makeup of the country. Cruz said it was mainly Persian and predominantly Shiite Muslims, then blew up when Carlson asked what percentage.
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âOK, this is cute,â Cruz said as Carlson continued pressing him. âOK, I am not the Tucker Carlson expert on Iran.â
Persians are Iranâs majority ethnic group. The country is also home to large populations of Azeris, who are estimated to make up as much as a quarter of the population, and Kurds, who are believed to make up as much as 10 per cent of the population. Shiite Muslims make up the majority of Iranâs population.
The interview came as the US is weighing whether to join Israelâs effort to obliterate Iranâs nuclear program with a bombing campaign. In the last several days, Israel has inflicted considerable damage to Iranâs uranium enrichment centre in Natanz and its laboratories in Isfahan. But it is unlikely that it will be able to strike the enrichment centre at Fordo, which is buried deep in a mountain, without the firepower of US bombs.
On Tuesday, Trump took to his social media platform to call for Iranâs âunconditional surrenderâ and hinted that the United States could assassinate its supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Trump also raised eyebrows when he wrote âweâ â not Israel â now had âtotal controlâ of Iranian airspace.
During his interview with Carlson, Cruz echoed that language, saying, âWe are carrying out military strikes today.â
Carlson seized on the pronoun. âYou said Israel was,â he interjected.
âRight, with our help,â Cruz retorted. âI said âweâ â Israel is leading them, but weâre supporting them.â
âWell youâre breaking news here,â Carlson said, noting that the White House had previously denied that the US was acting on Israelâs behalf.
âThis is high stakes; youâre a senator,â Carlson added, barely holding in a grin.
âIf youâre saying the United States government is at war with Iran right now, people are listening.â
This article originally appeared in The New York Times.
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