WASHINGTON D.C. – A highly anticipated interview between conservative firebrand Tucker Carlson and Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) devolved into a heated back-and-forth this week, with the two prominent figures clashing sharply over U.S. policy towards Iran. The exchange, portions of which aired Tuesday and the full interview set to be released today, Wednesday, June 18, 2025, has sent ripples through conservative circles, exposing a deepening divide on foreign policy within the Republican Party.

The tension escalated when Carlson repeatedly pressed Senator Cruz on his knowledge of Iran, questioning him on basic facts such as the country’s population and ethnic makeup. “How many people live in Iran, by the way?” Carlson asked Cruz, who admitted he did not know the exact figure, stating he doesn’t “sit around memorizing population tables.” Carlson shot back, “You don’t know the population of the country you seek to topple?” He later challenged Cruz further, asserting, “You don’t know anything about Iran.”

Senator Cruz, a staunch advocate for a more aggressive U.S. stance towards Iran and a vocal supporter of Israel’s recent strikes against the nation, defended his position, emphasizing the existential threat posed by the Iranian regime’s nuclear ambitions and its support for terrorism. He countered Carlson’s accusations, at one point appearing to mock him by saying, “I am not the Tucker Carlson expert on Iran.”

The debate also veered into the specifics of U.S. involvement in the ongoing Israel-Iran conflict. Cruz stated, “We are carrying out military strikes today,” before clarifying that Israel was leading the operations “with our help.” Carlson quickly seized on this, pointing out that the National Security Council had recently denied direct U.S. military involvement. “This is high stakes, Senator. If you’re saying the United States government is at war with Iran right now, people are listening,” Carlson pressed.

The fiery exchange underscores a growing schism within the conservative movement. Carlson, a long-time anti-interventionist, has consistently criticized what he perceives as “warmongers” within his party and has expressed concerns about the U.S. being drawn into another costly Middle Eastern conflict. He has even publicly challenged President Donald Trump’s hawkish rhetoric on Iran, suggesting it could “further weaken” the country and lead to “the end of the American empire.”

On the other hand, Senator Cruz and other prominent Republican figures maintain that Iran’s pursuit of nuclear weapons and its aggressive actions necessitate a strong, even interventionist, response from the United States and its allies. Cruz has repeatedly stated that there is “no reason” for Iran’s leadership to possess nuclear capabilities and has advocated for regime change.

The interview’s fallout is likely to continue to fuel debate within the Republican Party, as differing views on foreign policy, particularly regarding Iran and the Middle East, come to the forefront. As the region remains volatile and discussions of potential U.S. military action against Iran persist, the public can expect to see more such heated discussions among conservative leaders.