A GOP Senator stumbled during an interview on CNN when reporter Kaitlan Collins pressed him about his support for striking Iran in response to its brutal attack on anti-government protesters.
Protests erupted in Iran a couple of weeks ago over rampant inflation. All 31 provinces in the country have seen protests, and the Iranian government has responded in some heavy-handed ways. For instance, they imposed a total communications blackout and killed between 12,000 and 20,000 protesters, according to reports. Iranian state media said the regime plans to start hanging protesters on Wednesday.
President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that the U.S. would have a "very strong response" if Iran kills the protesters.
Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) said on CNN's "The Source" that he supported removing the regime with a strike, but couldn't seem to make up his mind about whether that constituted regime change. Collins pressed him for more details.
"We knew this was a possibility," Mullin said. "We're not into regime change. This isn't the Arab Spring, like what happened under Secretary [Hillary] Clinton. This is the people of Iran standing up to a murderous regime.
"But you just said you are for regime change," Collins said.
"No, I said I am in favor of the strikes," Mullin replied.
"But before that, you said you're in favor of taking out the regime," Collins said.
"Yes, because they're murdering their own people," Mullins replied.
"That's regime change," Collins shot back.
Sen. Markwayne Mullin: “I would support removing the regime that’s killing their own people.”
So you’re in favor of taking out the Iranian regime?
“I am at this point.”
Moments later, Mullin says, “We’re not into regime change. This isn't the Arab Spring...”
But you just said… pic.twitter.com/hex45xESM7
— Kaitlan Collins (@kaitlancollins) January 14, 2026