Verdict with Ted Cruz

Episode: Iran: Why We're Fighting, How's it Going & What's the End Game

Release Date: March 11, 2026

Hosts: Senator Ted Cruz & Ben Ferguson

Episode Overview

This episode dives into the ongoing war between the United States and Iran, now in its second week, with Senator Ted Cruz and co-host Ben Ferguson breaking down the immense military gains, the political discourse in Washington, and the rationale behind U.S. strategy. The conversation also tackles media narratives—including the roles of prominent figures like Tucker Carlson—foreign influence on American institutions, Iran's history of targeting Americans, concerns about gas prices, and the importance of decisive action for U.S. security. Lighter moments and personal stories punctuate the otherwise sobering analysis.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Military Progress in the Iran War (03:47–07:46)

• Senator Cruz emphasizes the overwhelming U.S. military progress:
  • Iran's missile and drone attacks have drastically decreased:
    • Day 1: 350 ballistic missiles; Day 8: 15
    • Day 2: 541 drone attacks; Day 8: 12 (03:47)
  • “We have taken out Iran’s air defenses, their missile launching capacity, their navy. In less than two weeks now, the effect is profound.” — Ted Cruz (04:06)
• Secretary of War Pete Hegseth’s strategic objectives:
  1. Destroy missile stockpiles, launchers, and production capacity
  2. Destroy Iran’s navy
  3. Deny Iran nuclear weapons permanently
  • “It’s a laser-focused, maximum authority mission delivered with overwhelming and unrelenting precision. No hesitation, no half measures.” — Pete Hegseth (07:46)

2. Washington’s Political Pulse & Media Critique (08:38–15:18)

• Democrats’ talking points are scattered—accusing Trump of risking a forever war or being manipulated by Israel, but the attacks aren’t sticking (08:38).
• Cruz recounts defending Lindsey Graham on Laura Ingraham’s show, differentiating positions on Iraq and Iran:
  • “When the Ayatollah says death to America, he means it. … President Trump is right to act… The regime in Iran has been the world’s leading state sponsor of terrorism for 47 years.” — Ted Cruz (10:37)
• Cruz calls out Tucker Carlson for misinformation, describing him as an "Islamist shilling, Israel hating zealot":
  • “Tucker has become such an Islamist shilling, such an Israel hating zealot... Tucker is now attacking capitalism on a daily basis and embracing... Marxist America-hating dictator of Venezuela…” — Ted Cruz (13:24)
• Notable concern about foreign outlets (Iranian, Russian) amplifying anti-American messages to their benefit (14:13).

3. Foreign Influence & Propaganda (15:18–20:28)

• Ben Ferguson recounts being offered over a million dollars per year by Russia Today (RT) to be a conservative mouthpiece, highlighting foreign efforts to co-opt American voices (15:18–17:59).
• Cruz points to Qatar as the largest foreign funder of U.S. universities—$6.6 billion—fueling anti-American and anti-Semitic narratives on campuses:
  • “You want to know why our universities are so rabidly anti-American, anti-Semitic, anti-Israel, anti-capitalist…?” — Ted Cruz (19:02)

4. Personal & Faith-Based Moments (22:07–31:14)

• Lighter interlude with Cruz sharing his wife’s reaction to a tabloid scandal during his presidential run—her uproarious laughter (22:57–23:52).
• Extended reflection on character and temptation, referencing a sermon by Pastor Greg Mott about King David and Bathsheba:
  • “When temptation presents itself, run, run. Just get away.” — Summary of Pastor Mott’s advice (30:00–31:14)
• Cruz praises humility in leadership and highlights the monthly Bible study with his pastor.

5. Economic Impact: Rising Gas Prices (36:18–41:29)

• Discussion about rising gas prices amid the conflict and Democratic attempts to capitalize on it:
  • Cruz expects increases to be short term; long term, a stable/normal Iran would lower global prices.
  • “If and when the Iranian regime collapses... the effect on global gas prices will be to lower them significantly.” — Ted Cruz (37:42)
• Dismissal of “war for Israel” rhetoric:
  • “This has very little to do with Israel. ... The regime in Iran is killing Americans, and if they had nuclear weapons, they would kill many, many more Americans.” — Ted Cruz (40:19–41:29)

6. The End Game: Avoiding "Forever War" (43:26–47:48)

• Emphasis that this is not another Iraq or Afghanistan:
  • “Iran is not Iraq. We’re not going to see a massive troop presence... If this military conflict lasts many months or years... this war will be very unpopular. I think the chances of that happening are very, very close to zero percent.” — Ted Cruz (44:22)
• Secretary of War Pete Hegseth underscores new doctrines:
  • “This is not endless nation building... Instead, we’re winning decisively with brutal efficiency, total air dominance and an unbreakable will...” — Pete Hegseth (45:19)
• Cruz highlights “peace through strength” as the guiding principle, with Trump contrasting Obama/Biden’s weakness (46:37–47:48).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Senator Ted Cruz

• “What we have done in less than two weeks now, we have taken out Iran’s air defenses... their navy has been sunk to the bottom of the ocean.” (04:06)
• “When the Ayatollah says death to America, he means it.” (10:37)
• “Tucker has become such an Islamist shilling, such an Israel hating zealot...” (13:24)
• “Qatar... has given $6.6 billion to our universities. You want to know why our universities are so rabidly anti-American... so rabidly anti-Semitic?” (19:02)
• “If and when the Iranian regime collapses... the effect on global gas prices will be to lower them significantly.” (37:42)
• “We’re not going to see an extended military occupation.” (44:22)
• “Peace through strength is what Reagan called it. Donald Trump just understands it as being a strong commander in chief...” (46:37)

Pete Hegseth (Secretary of War, via clip)

• “We are winning with an overwhelming and unrelenting focus on our objectives... No hesitation, no half measures.” (07:46)
• “Our generation of soldier will not let that happen again. Nor will this President... Those days are dead.” (45:19)

Ben Ferguson

• [Humor] “As I was sitting on the beach today, Benjamin has had 19 daiquiris today. … I did have two Miami Vices, just in honor of you.” (06:58–07:12)
• [Story] “RT tried to hire me... seven figures... a million two per year... I literally remember the number.” (16:09–17:24)
• “President Trump isn’t hoodwinked by anybody... The president understood the national security risks, not to Israel.” (43:29)

Additional Segments & Timestamps

• Lighthearted banter about Ben’s location (Cabo), drink preferences, Senator Cruz’s working habits (05:48–07:12)
• Discussion about false media stories and personal anecdotes (22:07–25:54)
• Faith & humility: personal and church stories (25:54–31:14)
• Gas prices and the “egg price” political strategy (36:18–37:42)
• Firm separation of America’s interests from Israel in the conflict (40:19–41:29)
• Emphasis on limited war aims and new military doctrine (44:22–47:48)

Conclusion: The Takeaway

Cruz and Ferguson assert that the U.S. is dominating militarily and acting in direct response to Iran’s decades-long record of anti-American terror. They reject accusations that America’s response is for Israel, insist the operation’s timeline will be short, and champion a doctrine of strength to avoid endless foreign entanglements. The episode weaves in humor and personal stories while remaining sharply focused on the urgency, accomplishments, and calculated nature of current U.S. policy toward Iran.