United States Senator Ted Cruz backed President Donald Trump’s Truth Social post declaring “mission accomplished” in the war with Iran, while going further by calling for the collapse of the Iranian regime during a Meet the Press interview on Sunday.

Host Kristen Welker asked Cruz whether he agreed with the president’s declaration, noting that the war was entering its sixth month this week despite Trump previously saying it would last only a few weeks.

Cruz responded that he agreed “unequivocally” that the president’s military objectives had been achieved.

According to Cruz, the US has eliminated Iran’s military capabilities and nearly destroyed its supply and manufacturing infrastructure for ballistic missiles and drone programs, as well as its air force, navy, and leadership.

“Their air force is in rubble on the runway. Their navy is sunk and at the bottom of the ocean. Much of their senior leadership has been eliminated. So in terms of military objectives, I think that is correct,” Cruz said.

Cruz also addressed the US blockade of Iran and its objective of imposing economic pressure on the country, claiming that Iran’s economy is in “free fall.”

“Now, if you also look at the objective of imposing economic harm, right now with the blockade that we are holding on Iran, Iran is facing $500 million a day of economic cost. That is enormous cost that is ratcheting up,” Cruz said.

Cruz supports collapsing Iran regime, arming Kurds and protesters

The senator went further, saying he supports a long-term objective of collapsing the Iranian regime and doing so by arming Kurdish forces and protesters.

“Now, I would like to see the longer-term objective be regime collapse,” Cruz said.

“The ayatollah and the mullahs are radical Islamist zealots… The Ayatollah routinely chants, ‘Death to America.’ The Ayatollah… This regime… has been the world’s leading state sponsor of terror for 47 years. So what I’ve been urging is for President Trump and the Trump administration to arm the protesters, the people of Iran. Arm the Kurds and let the protesters remove this regime,” he said.

Welker followed up by asking Cruz why US troops had not returned home if the military objectives had been achieved.

Cruz responded that while there are “occasional skirmishes,” the “active military conflict has reduced significantly,” and said the troops’ current role is focused on enforcing economic pressure through the blockade.

Cruz highlights role of Iranian protesters

Cruz said he believes economic sanctions are a powerful tool, but argued they would be even more effective with support from protesters inside Iran. He also highlighted that the conflict began after the regime killed tens of thousands of protesters.

He reiterated his support for arming protesters, saying: “Frankly, Kristen, it’s not fair to expect some Iranian protester standing there with a rock to stand up against soldiers with machine guns. I believe if we arm the protesters, particularly the Kurds, who had a long history of being effective fighters.”

Cruz said that while the US should not determine who governs Iran, it does have an interest in preventing the country from being ruled by a regime that threatens America.

“It’s not our business to determine who the government of Iran is. But it is our business to say the government of Iran should not be a radical theocrat who hates America and is trying to kill Americans,” he said.

Cruz concluded by praising Trump’s leadership, saying: “And President Trump is acting as a strong commander in chief to keep the American people safe.”

This post was originally published on here.