In a heated, unscripted interview, Tucker Carlson questions Ted Cruz over Iran policy.

A snippet of the interview, which will be fully available on Wednesday, appeared on social media on Tuesday and instantly generated excitement. The brief debate swiftly descended into a furious argument as Carlson questioned Cruz about fundamental details about Iran, including its population.

"By the way, how many people reside in Iran?" Carlson inquired.

Unexpectedly, Cruz acknowledged, "I do not know the population."

Carlson persisted. He questioned incredulously, "You do not know the population of the country you intend to topple?"

“Ninety-two million,” Carlson said sharply when Cruz flipped the question.

"I do not sit around memorizing population tables," the senator from Texas retorted, obviously annoyed.

"Well, it is kind of significant since you are asking for the fall of the government," Carlson retorted.

Cruz retorted: "What makes it important, whether it is 90, 80, or 100 million? Why does that matter?

Carlson remained unblinking. "So, if you do not know anything about the nation...

Cruz yelled, "I did not imply I do not know anything about the country."

Carlson resumed the verbal sparring by asking Cruz on the ethnic and religious makeup of Iran.

"They are Shia and Persians in general." Cruz started.

"What percentage?" Carlson cut him off.

Cruz dismissed the criticism, saying, "All right, this is cute."

Carlson, however, refused to let it go.

Carlson remarked, "You are a senator who is advocating for the fall of the government and you have no knowledge of the nation."

Cruz retorted, "No, you do not know anything about the country," when Carlson was accused of downplaying Iranian threats against former President Donald Trump.

Both men accused one another of stupidity, hypocrisy, and distortion as the argument heated up. Cruz's defense of Israeli military activities against Iranian interests, backed by the United States, escalated the discussion to almost theatrical proportions.

Cruz declared, "We are conducting military strikes today."

You said that Israel was, but Carlson clarified.

Yes, with our assistance. "We," I said," Cruz explained. "We are assisting them, but Israel is guiding them."

Then Carlson cited the U.S. National Security Council's denials of any offensive cooperation with Israel.

Cruz dismissed it, saying, "No, we are not going to bomb them. They are being bombed by Israel.

The Significance of This Moment

Beyond the spectacle, the conversation poses valid queries regarding the ways in which media figures and elected officials influence foreign policy narratives. Even if Carlson's tough questioning style verged on being theatrical, it struck a chord: How well-informed are lawmakers about the nations they want to militarily oppose? And what happens when discussions of foreign policy stop being grounded in facts and instead focus more on ideological grandstanding?

The interview reveals a widening divide among conservatives on America's involvement in Middle Eastern issues, namely regarding how to deal with Iran. Carlson, who leans more toward populist isolationism, appears to doubt the necessity of American involvement overseas altogether, while Cruz represents the hawkish, interventionist wing.

The complete interview will certainly offer even more combustible moments — but even this early sample is enough to remind viewers that in 2025, geopolitics is as much a media performance as it is a matter of statecraft.