Tucker Carlson Alleges CIA Surveillance Ahead of Iran War

Tucker Carlson has claimed that the CIA monitored his text messages in the lead-up to the war with Iran, with the intention of portraying him as a foreign agent.

The 56-year-old conservative commentator stated that the Justice Department was gearing up to charge him as an unregistered foreign agent of the Iranian regime, a move he attributes to recommendations from the CIA. This was revealed in a video posted on X over the weekend.

“The CIA is working on some kind of criminal charge against me, a report for the Department of Justice, based on the supposed crimes I’ve committed,” he mentioned in the video.

“What is that crime? Well, talking to the Iranian people before the war,” Carlson added, somewhat incredulously. “They—please read my writing.”

Carlson believes he might be charged under the Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938, which mandates that anyone receiving compensation from a foreign government for lobbying or political advocacy register with the Justice Department.

Despite being a prominent critic of President Trump’s Operation Epic Fury, Carlson insists he is not an Iranian agent. “I am not an agent of a foreign power. My only loyalty is to the United States, and I have never acted against it,” he remarked. He asserted he has never accepted money from another country.

“I don’t need it; I don’t want it,” Carlson insisted, explaining that engaging with foreign intelligence sources is part and parcel of his role as a journalist.

“It’s my job to talk to everyone and try and grasp what’s happening in the world,” he emphasized. “I’m American. I can talk to anyone.”

Observers have suggested that the investigation against him may be politically charged. Carlson mentioned in his video, “Some people are offended by my views on Israel,” adding that intelligence agencies often keep tabs on American citizens during conflicts.

“During wartime, nations typically become more authoritarian,” he noted. “There’s significantly less tolerance for dissenting viewpoints.”

Carlson has been a staunch supporter of President Trump, previously describing him as a “very conservative guy and a very good guy.” He had several meetings with Trump at the White House in the weeks leading up to military actions against Iran.

The last of these meetings is thought to have taken place on February 23, shortly after a contentious interview with US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee.

This timing spurred speculation that Carlson was urged by Trump to tone down his approach.

In July 2025, Carlson faced allegations of interviewing Iranian President Massoud Pezeshkian and providing a platform to representatives of the Islamic Republic without reservation.

Marcus Korga, a foreign disinformation expert, remarked, “This was a major victory for Iran’s information warfare operations. Whether intentional or not, Carlson serves as a crucial channel for Iranian government narratives.”

Having been accused of perpetuating anti-Semitic conspiracy theories, Carlson condemned the airstrike that ended Iran’s supreme leader Ali Khamenei’s life, calling it “absolutely disgusting and evil,” claiming the war is fought on behalf of Israel.

This outburst drew public criticism from the White House. President Trump noted in a recent interview, “Tucker has lost his way… he’s not MAGA.” He further insisted that Carlson lacks understanding of the MAGA movement’s principles.

Additionally, Fox News host Mark Levin accused Carlson of promoting narratives that align with America’s adversaries in the Middle East, while claims of Carlson receiving funding from Qatar have surfaced, a point he has vehemently denied.

As of now, neither the CIA nor the Department of Justice has responded to requests for comments.