Sen. Ted Cruz and Tucker Carlson clash in heated debate about US role in Israel-Iran conflict

(Left photo: Sen. Ted Cruz on March 3 in Washington, D.C. Right photo: Tucker Carlson in Florida on July 15, 2023. Credits: Kayla Bartkowski/Getty Images and Giorgio Viera/AFP via Getty Images)

Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and conservative commentator Tucker Carlson engaged in a heated argument about the U.S. role in the escalating Israel-Iran conflict during an interview released on Wednesday.

The context: Although the Trump administration has denied direct U.S. involvement in Israel's offensive operations, the possibility of Americans joining Israeli attacks has deepened the division between the isolationist and pro-Israel wings of the MAGA coalition.

The discussion intensified when Cruz stated: "We are carrying out military strikes today." Pressed by Carlson about whether it was the U.S. or Israel leading the attacks, Cruz responded that the U.S. was "supporting" Israel.

"This is serious. You're a senator. If you're saying the U.S. government is at war with Iran right now, people are listening," Carlson countered.

Key moments of the confrontation:

Carlson questions Cruz about Iran

The exchange began when Carlson asked the senator how many people live in Iran. Cruz didn't know the answer.

"You don't know the population of the country you want to overthrow?" Carlson asked. "How can you not know that?"

Cruz retorted: "I don't sit around memorizing population tables."

Carlson, frustrated, argued: "This is relevant, since you're advocating for the government's overthrow."

The host then asked about Iran's ethnic composition. After hesitating, Cruz responded: "They're Persians and predominantly Shiite."

"What percentage?" Carlson interrupted.

The two began talking over each other, with Carlson exclaiming: "You don't know anything about Iran! You're a senator calling for the government's overthrow and you don't know the country!"

Post-interview: Cruz shared a Star Wars meme comparing Carlson to someone asking Luke Skywalker what the Death Star's population was - mocking the question about Iran.

"Oh, so now I'm an anti-Semite?"

The discussion also revolved around AIPAC (American Israel Public Affairs Committee), a pro-Israel lobbying group.

"Are AIPAC's goals shaped by the Israeli government? If you say no, we know that's not true," Carlson questioned.

Cruz responded: "Does Israel control AIPAC? No, they don't lobby on its behalf. But do they care about them? Yes."

Carlson countered: "What you're describing, quite defensively, is foreign influence on our politics."

Cruz then prodded: "This obsession with Israel is strange."

"Oh, so now I'm an anti-Semite?" Carlson replied sarcastically. "You're trying to derail my questions by calling me anti-Semitic."

Cruz denied this but added: "If you're not anti-Semitic, give me another reason for this obsession with Israel."

Carlson concluded: "I don't see a lawmaker's job as defending a foreign government's interests. That doesn't make me anti-Semitic, and it's shameful to suggest otherwise."

Carlson questions alleged Iranian plot to assassinate Trump

Carlson also expressed skepticism about an alleged Iranian plot to assassinate former President Trump. Cruz cited threats against Mike Pompeo, John Bolton and Brian Hook, but admitted the U.S. hadn't arrested any Iranian assassins.

"We know it's true because intelligence has informed us over the past two years," Cruz said. When pressed, he admitted: "I don't think they're very effective."

For more: Trump stated that Iran proposed a White House meeting, but it would be "too late" for negotiations.