Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, said that millions of Iranians have grown weary of living under a repressive government — and now have an opportunity to change the world if they succeed in toppling the country's Islamic regime.
"I want to speak directly to the people of Iran," Cruz said Monday on his podcast, "Verdict With Ted Cruz." "And I want to say now is your moment.
"If you are standing up right now, if you're going out in the street, if you are standing against the Ayatollah, if you are standing with the mullahs, know that America is with you.
"Know that the American people are with you. Know that you are in my prayers.
"And know that Joe Biden is not in the White House anymore. Barack Obama is not in the White House anymore. Donald J. Trump is in the White House.
"And if you topple this cruel, vicious, theocratic, homicidal, genocidal regime, you will bring freedom to Iran and you will make major steps to bringing peace to the Middle East."
Protests in Iran erupted in December, initially triggered by a sharp economic downturn, a record collapse of the national currency, and soaring inflation.
They quickly spread from Tehran's Grand Bazaar to cities across all 31 provinces.
Demonstrators who initially voiced economic grievances soon adopted broader anti-government and regime-change demands, making the unrest the largest the country has seen in several years.
Authorities responded with a harsh crackdown that has included near-total internet and communications blackouts, lethal force by security forces, mass arrests, and reports of hundreds — and by some accounts thousands — of deaths.
Demonstrators have continued to mobilize despite government repression.
Cruz said the United States' dispute with Iran is directed at its leadership, not its people.
"The Iranian people and the American people have decades of history of being friends of engaging in peaceful commerce," Cruz said. "And understand that America's foreign policy dispute is not with the people of Iran.
"It is instead with the tyrants who are torturing and murdering and oppressing Iran and who are exporting terror across the globe.
"And they want to murder Americans just like they want to murder Iranians. And so, President Trump has publicly called on you to stand up for freedom."
Cruz said Iran's ruling clerics are losing their grip on power and warned the regime could collapse quickly.
"That could happen this month. It could happen this week. It could happen in the next 24 hours," he said. "It is that potentially imminent.
"If that occurs, it would be utterly transformational for the people of Iran, utterly transformational for the Middle East.
"We should use our voice. That's why this podcast is a message to the people of Iran. Freedom matters.
"You're the ones in charge of fighting for your revolution. But know that that America stands with you and a free and peaceful Iran is better for Iran and it's better for America."
Michael Katz ✉
Michael Katz is a Newsmax reporter with more than 30 years of experience reporting and editing on news, culture, and politics.
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