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Public disputes concerning the armed conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran that began on February 28, 2026, including its conduct, costs, casualties, legal authority and the public accounting of them.
Counts show individual statements. They do not assign an overall position.
4 statements on this page. Dates: February 28, 2026 to September 24, 2026
4 matching statements. Dates: February 28, 2026 to September 24, 2026
4 published statements. Dates: February 28, 2026 to September 24, 2026
4 published statements. Dates: February 28, 2026 to September 24, 2026
4 statements on this page. Dates: February 28, 2026 to September 24, 2026
Role at the time: U.S. Senator, Texas
Statement summary
Ted Cruz voted nay on H.Con.Res. 89, a vote against directing the removal of U.S. forces from unauthorized hostilities with Iran.
“On the Concurrent Resolution H.Con.Res. 89: A concurrent resolution directing the President, pursuant to section 5(c) of the War Powers Resolution, to remove United States Armed Forces from hostilities with Iran.”
Official Senate roll call on H.Con.Res. 89, a concurrent resolution directing the President under section 5(c) of the War Powers Resolution to remove U.S. Armed Forces from hostilities with Iran. Rejected 49-50 on September 24, 2026. Fetterman was the only Democratic nay; Republicans Collins, Murkowski, Paul and Tillis voted yea; Alsobrooks did not vote.
Archived copy (opens in a new tab)Voted against directing the removal of U.S. forces from unauthorized hostilities with Iran, a vote to let U.S. involvement continue without congressional authorization.
Role at the time: U.S. senator from Texas, interviewed on CNN's The Source with Kaitlan Collins
Response to this claim
Vice President JD Vance said he would not call the U.S. fight with Iran a war, saying there is no active shooting right now and that major combat operations lasted about six weeks.
“I think it is a military conflict. There's relatively little active military engagement right now. There are occasional skirmishes. There's some shots back and forth. But it's been several months since we've had sustained military conflict. ... Are there some ongoing hostilities? Yes, but it is not as sustained. And it is not a military conflict that has major engagement most days.”
CNN's rush transcript of The Source with Kaitlan Collins for September 8, 2026, aired at 9 p.m. ET. Collins asks Cruz about gas prices and asks, "Do you believe that this is a war?" She later plays Vance's September 3 answer and asks a follow-up. CNN marks the transcript as possibly not in its final form.
The reference point is Vance's statement that he would not call the fighting a war. Asked directly whether it is a war, Cruz answers "I think it is a military conflict" and describes little active engagement, which supports the not-a-war description. He acknowledges "ongoing hostilities" but calls them "not as sustained", so defends or excuses fits better than mixed or conditional.
Role at the time: U.S. Senator, Texas
Statement summary
Ted Cruz voted Nay on H.Con.Res. 86, the Senate resolution directing the President to remove U.S. Armed Forces from hostilities with Iran.
“On the Concurrent Resolution H.Con.Res. 86: Directing the President, pursuant to section 5(c) of the War Powers Resolution, to remove United States Armed Forces from hostilities with Iran.”
Official Senate roll call on H.Con.Res. 86, directing the President under section 5(c) of the War Powers Resolution to remove U.S. Armed Forces from hostilities with Iran. Agreed to 50-48 on June 23, 2026 — the first Iran war powers resolution to pass both chambers. Republicans Cassidy, Collins, Murkowski and Paul voted yea; Fetterman was the only Democratic nay.
Archived copy (opens in a new tab)A nay vote opposed the resolution directing the removal of U.S. Armed Forces from hostilities with Iran, allowing U.S. military operations in the war to continue.
Role at the time: U.S. Senator for Texas at the statement date.
Statement summary
Cruz endorses the strikes as enhancing U.S. and allied security against Iranian nuclear and terrorist threats.
“Today’s action will enhance the national security of the United States and our allies.”
He describes Iran’s attacks against Americans and its pursuit of nuclear weapons. He applauds Trump, armed forces, intelligence services and Israeli cooperation and prays for service members.
Archived copy (opens in a new tab)Relative to U.S. military involvement in the 2026 Iran war, Cruz endorses the strikes as enhancing U.S. and allied security against Iranian nuclear and terrorist threats.
