As the conflict between Israel and Iran enters its fourth day, escalating fears of a full-blown regional war have prompted the U.S. to redeploy assets, including a powerful aircraft carrier, to the Middle East. Simultaneously, Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) appeared on Fox News’ “Sunday Morning Futures” to articulate his support for the recent Israeli military actions, asserting the objective is to eliminate Iran’s capacity for mass murder, not to conquer or democratize the nation.
Senator Cruz, in his remarks, dismissed claims that the Israeli military strike was about “conquering Iran” or “turning them into a democracy.”
He characterized the Iranian leadership as “theocratic lunatics” who “regularly chants ‘Death to America,’ ‘Death to Israel’” and are actively pursuing nuclear weapons. Cruz referenced a “very clear red line” drawn by President Trump, who had given Iran 60 days to negotiate a complete dismantlement of their nuclear program. According to Cruz, Iran publicly refused to halt any centrifuges, instead vowing to build more, prompting the Israeli response.
READ :U.S. Aircraft Carrier Diverted To Middle East As Israel-Iran Conflict Escalates
Cruz detailed the extent of the Israeli military’s operations, citing “720 military strikes across military — across Israel,” which he claimed have “decapitated the top leadership of Iran’s military,” including key figures and multiple nuclear scientists.
He also highlighted the leveling of Natanz, identified as “the chief research area where they’re doing much of the enrichment.” Cruz emphasized Israel’s commitment to “getting the job done,” defining that job as “to prevent Iran from being able to acquire nuclear weapons.” He concluded, “It’s not conquering Iran. It’s not turning them into a democracy. It’s taking away their capacity to commit mass murder. And, this week, they have made enormous progress in getting that accomplished.”
Meanwhile, the USS Nimitz, a U.S. aircraft carrier, departed the South China Sea on Monday morning, heading westward, according to ship tracking data. Its planned port visit to Da Nang, Vietnam, was abruptly canceled due to an “emergent operational requirement,” Reuters reported.
Further raising alarm, the U.S. Air Force has reportedly begun broadcasting encrypted nuclear Emergency Action Message (EAM) codes of unusual and extended length, fueling speculation of a shift in the global strategic landscape and heightened fears of an all-out war.
READ: Trump Vetoes Israeli Strike On Khamenei As Iran’s Supreme Leader Goes Into Hiding
These developments closely follow a warning issued by President Donald Trump to Iran, cautioning that if the U.S. is “attacked in any way, shape or form” by Iran, then “the full strength and might of the US Armed Forces will come down on you at levels never seen before,” a statement accompanied by a foreboding warning of World War III.
Hours after President Trump’s declaration, the U.S. embassy in Tel Aviv sustained damage from a new series of Iranian strikes on Israeli cities overnight. Early Monday, missile attacks triggered air raid sirens nationwide, with emergency services reporting at least five fatalities and numerous injuries.
Powerful blasts rocked Tel Aviv just before sunrise, believed to be the result of Israel’s defense systems intercepting Iranian missiles. Israeli authorities stressed that civilians are directly in the crosshairs of these recent attacks, with police spokesman Dean Elsdunne stating, “We clearly see that our civilians are being targeted.”
Despite the ongoing Iranian assaults, Israel has asserted a significant advantage in the conflict. On its fourth day, Israel claims to have gained “aerial superiority” over Tehran, boasting the capability to fly above the Iranian capital without significant resistance.
READ: Trump Directs “Largest Mass Deportation Program In History,” Targeting Blue Cities
Following concentrated offensives against Iranian air defenses and missile systems, Israeli forces announced their dominance across the skies from western Iran to Tehran, claiming the destruction of over 120 surface-to-surface missile launchers – reportedly representing a third of Iran’s arsenal used to target Israel throughout the night.
“Now we can say that we have achieved full air supremacy in the Tehran airspace,” proclaimed military spokesperson Brig. Gen. Effie Defrin. For its part, Iran confirmed firing approximately 100 missiles and has promised continued reprisals for Israel’s extensive bombardments on its military assets and nuclear establishments.
The human toll of this escalating conflict is grim. The attacks have inflicted at least 224 fatalities within Iran since last Friday. Meanwhile, Israel acknowledges 24 deaths and over 500 injuries from more than 370 missiles and an onslaught of drones launched by Iran.
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