Updated 11 January 2026 at 20:05 IST
'May They Meet 72 Virgins Tonight': US Senator Ted Cruz's Controversial Wish For Iranian Crowd Chanting 'Death to America'
US Senator Ted Cruz sparked a debate after making a reference to the concept of 72 'hooris' (virgins) while targeting Iran’s hardline regime supporters.
Tehran: Amidst violent protests in Iran against the government, US Senator Ted Cruz sparked controversy after posting a message on X targeting Iran’s hardline regime supporters, who chanted ‘Death To America’. He made a reference to the concept of 72 'hooris' (virgins) and said, "May the Death to America crowd meet their 72 virgins tonight."
This comes after chants of “Death To America” was heard in Iran's Parliament as Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf warned U.S President Donald Trump that military action against Iran can lead to strikes on Israel and US military bases.
Ted Cruz made the controversial remark as he reshared an X post of Conservative commentator Clay Travis, who suggested that the end of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's regime is near.
In a post on X, Travis wrote, “Iran is the biggest story in the world right now. Nothing else is close. This could be a modern day fall of the Berlin Wall moment. The ayatollah is on the ropes.” Travis' post also featured a statement from United States President Donald Trump, who said Iran is “looking at freedom like never before” and that the US “stands ready to help" them.
Resharing Travis' post on X, Ted Cruz tweeted, "If the Iranian people overthrow the Ayatollah, America—and the entire world—will be much, much safer." He added, “May the Death to America crowd meet their 72 virgins tonight.”
Cruz’s language, invoking a controversial reference linked to extremist martyrdom narratives, has drawn criticism online, with many calling it inflammatory and inappropriate for a sitting US Senator.
An X user said, “'Meet their 72 virgins tonight' is wishing death on people. You can and should be better. Delete that line or change it to saying a prayer that those people find Jesus.” Another user called Cruz a “pathetic human being”.
Protests broke out in Iran due to deteriorating economic conditions and inflation. As Trump said that the U.S. is "ready to help" the protestors, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said protesters are out on streets to please Trump. Asking Trump to focus on his own country, Khamenei said, "If he knew how to run a country, he would run his own."
Published By : Nidhi Sinha
Published On: 11 January 2026 at 18:11 IST