Ted Cruz, a Republican senator, told Maziyeh Hosseini, an Iran International reporter, “Our goal should be the collapse of the regime; that is, removing the religious fanatics who want to kill Americans. They have been tyrannical rulers for the people of Iran and ruthless, hard-core enemies for the people of America.”

He, referring to efforts to reach an agreement with the Islamic Republic, said: “From the very beginning I have said that giving billions of dollars to religious fanatics who want to kill us is a very bad idea. So I really hope the government does not enter such a path. I don’t know whether it will do it or not.”

Cruz described Trump’s action in a military move against the Islamic Republic as “completely right” and said: “When the ayatollah says, ‘Death to America,’ Trump is the commander-in-chief of a powerful armed force who is acting to protect American security.”

He, referring to the law passed by Congress that gives Trump the power to impose additional sanctions, said: “This president will decide whether and when to use this authority.”