Daines on Fox Business: Regime Change in Iran is “A Berlin Wall Moment for the Middle East”

• January 12, 2026

U.S. SENATE - U.S. Senator Steve Daines today joined Fox Business to discuss President Trump's "Peace Through Strength" policy and its success around the world.

Watch the full interview HERE.

Daines on regime change in Iran:

Let's be clear, the Iranian people will drive the regime change regardless of any action taken by the United States. This is a Berlin Wall moment for the Middle East. If you're 45 years old or younger, you've only grown up knowing there's been an Ayatollah in charge in Iran, but I'm old enough to remember, you are as well, Larry, that we used to have Iran as an ally of the United States. The Iranians were helping us in the Middle East. They were helping us push back on the Soviet influence in the Middle East. This is a remarkable moment. And, by the way, it's not by accident. It's been very intentional because of great leaders like President Trump and Bibi Netanyahu with moral clarity. They've been very decisive. They understand what it takes here to restore true peace and prosperity in the Middle East, and you think about the [Iranian] regime, not the people, but the regime is the leading state sponsor of terror in the world. Let's not forget this. Hezbollah, Hamas, the Houthis exist because of this current regime. So, thank God for the resolve of President Trump, for the B-2 bombers that hit Fordow, for the message being sent. The oil field revenues have been declining putting Iran in a crisis economically speaking. This is a moment that's been set up, and we pray and hope for the change coming here in Iran. It'll break the right way and really restore freedom and liberty to the great people of Iran.

Daines on President Trump's Peace Through Strength policies:

One thing I do know for certain is that the Democrats under Obama and under Biden, their appeasement strategy with these dictators is a failed strategy. You can't win through appeasement. There's one thing places like Iran, Colombia, Cuba, Venezuela understand, and that's strength. They respect strength, they exploit weakness. And so, what it needs in Cuba is a spark. And once the people understand it's going to be okay for them to challenge the regime, you have these major disconnects between the leadership and the people. I would say Iran probably has the greatest of any country in the world between what the Ayatollah thinks and the rest of the people believe. Iran generally is a pro-U.S., pro-west country. But the leadership is out of touch. I think in Cuba, similarly you've got the people there that are waiting for that spark. Don't underestimate Marco Rubio.

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