U.S. Senator Cruz outlined his views on U.S. policy toward Iran and Venezuela in an interview with NBC News.
Regime change as the goal in Iran
Cruz argued that protesters in Iran should be armed and said he had repeatedly urged U.S. President Trump and his administration to take this step. He claimed that doing so would help the Iranian people overthrow the government.
According to Cruz, the long-term goal in Iran is the collapse of the regime. The senator identified weakening Iran’s military capacity as the primary objective and described overthrowing the government as the second objective.
Claim about Maduro
Cruz also claimed that Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, who was detained as a result of the U.S. military intervention on January 3, is not legitimate and came to power against the will of the voters.
Cruz argued that free and fair elections should be held in Venezuela and said the U.S. administration is working toward that goal.