Washington, DC – Prominent Republican Senator Ted Cruz issued a stark warning to the Iranian leadership, describing the current regime as “shaky and in its final days.” Cruz explicitly called for the “Ayatollahs” to be given a choice: relinquish power with guarantees or face a fate similar to that of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.
Invoking the “Maduro model” in Venezuela
In a controversial interview with Fox News, Cruz revealed details about the US approach to dealing with adversaries, citing the situation in Venezuela:
The rejected offer: Cruz asserted that President Trump had previously offered Maduro
a “life of luxury” in exchange for stepping down from power. However, Maduro refused this offer.
Delta Force: The senator indicated that Washington deployed Delta Force last January to capture Maduro.
He also asserted that Maduro would spend the rest of his life in prison.
The message to Tehran: Cruz addressed Iran’s leaders, saying, “Do you want to be removed by force,
or accept the opportunity to leave power? I hope you are more rational than Noriega and Maduro.”
Expectations of a massive “geopolitical shift”
Cruz believes the next six months could witness radical changes in the global alliances map, pointing to the following:
Regime Collapse: He predicted the potential collapse of regimes in Iran, Cuba, and Venezuela within six months.
He considered it “the biggest geopolitical shift since the fall of the Berlin Wall.”
Consultation with Trump: Cruz revealed a conversation he had with Donald Trump a few days prior.
In this discussion, he urged Trump not to miss the current opportunity presented by the “shaking of the Iranian regime.”
National Security: He emphasized that overthrowing the “mullahs’ regime” would be the most important achievement for American national security and for the peoples of the Middle East.
Legislative action in support of the protesters
Cruz’s remarks come amid a broader movement within the US Congress, where he has been joined by prominent senators
such as Lindsey Graham and Pat Fallon, in sending messages of support to Iranian protesters
and affirming their right to end what they described as an “era of repression.”
Contextual note: These statements reflect an unprecedented escalation in US political rhetoric toward Tehran.
This is especially the case given Cruz’s suggestion of using “special operations” as a tool for regime change.
