Ted Cruz: “The Ayatollah, not once, but twice, hired squads of hitmen…”

“I believe him. I don't think that was empty rhetoric. I think he means it. I think if the Ayatollah could kill you and me right now, he would. And The Ayatollah, not once, but twice, hired squads of hitmen to try to murder President Trump. And so I think President Trump made the decision that we're not going to allow an ongoing threat to America, an ongoing threat that has been murdering Americans year after year after year.” (02:03–02:10)

This is an excerpt from a raw transcript. The assertions have not been audited or verified. Tap the video to view the source footage and understand the context.