US-Israel, Iran conflict: Tucker Carlson claims CIA read his texts with Iran to frame him as foreign agent
Former Fox News host Tucker Carlson claims the CIA read his texts and recommended DOJ charges accusing him of acting as an unregistered agent for Iran. Carlson denies the allegation, calling the case politically motivated and saying speaking to foreign sources is part of his work as a commentator.
Former Fox News host Tucker Carlson has now claimed that the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) read his text messages ahead of the US' war with Iran.
The conservative political commentator posted a video on X on Saturday night and claimed that the US Department of Justice (DOJ) is gearing up to charge him with being an "unregistered foreign agent" for Iran, as per the CIA's recommendation.
In a five-minute video, Tucker Carlson claimed that the CIA was preparing to send a criminal referral to the Justice Department over what he described as a supposed offence. He said the alleged violation involved speaking with people in Iran before the war.
Alleged charges against Tucker Carlson
The conservative pundit claimed that he is likely to be charged under the "Foreign Agents Registration Act," which mandates that anyone being paid by governments abroad for lobbying or political advocacy register with the DOJ. Carlson, who has been an outspoken critic of the US President Donald Trump's "Operation Epic Fury" in Iran, denied that he was an Iranian asset, adding that his loyalty is strictly to the US.
Commenting on whether he received any money, he said that he has never received anything from foreign governments and does not even need it. He further went on to say that communicating with foreign sources is part of his job as a journalist and political commentator.
The conservative commentator, in his video message, said that the case against him is a "politically motivated" one.
According to Carlson, some people are angry at him for his views about Israel and claim that intelligence agencies tend to monitor American citizens more during such times of conflict.
Carlson-Trump ties
According to a Politico report, Carlson has been a strong Trump supporter in the past, who described him as "a very conservative guy, a very good guy." During a 9 January White House lunch with oil executives, the political commentator was also present.
In the weeks before the US and Israel launched strikes against Iran, Carlson met Trump at the White House multiple times, with the last meeting being reported on 23 February, hours after his controversial interview with Mike Huckabee, the US ambassador to Israel.
According to a report in the New York Post, it was during this meeting that the conservative commentator was reprimanded by the US President.
Carlson's previous Iran links
Earlier in July 2025, Carlson was slammed for interviewing the Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, providing the Islamic Republic's representative a global platform. Marcus Kolga, a foreign disinformation expert, told the UK-based outlet Iran International that the situation represented a significant success for Iranian information warfare efforts, adding that Tucker Carlson was, intentionally or not, helping spread and amplify narratives promoted by the Iranian government.
Carlson has also been accused of peddling antisemitic conspiracy theories, calling the strikes that killed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei “absolutely disgusting and evil,” and saying that the war is being waged on behalf of Israel. His outburst led to public condemnation from the White House.
About the Author
Swati Gandhi is a digital journalist with over four years of experience, specialising in international and geopolitical issues. Her work focuses on foreign policy, global power shifts, and the political and economic forces shaping international relations, with a particular emphasis on how global developments affect India. She approaches journalism with a strong belief in context-driven reporting, aiming to break down complex global events into clear, accessible narratives for a wide readership.<br><br> Previously, Swati has worked at Business Standard, where she covered a range of beats including national affairs, politics, and business. This diverse newsroom experience helped her build a strong grounding in reporting, while also strengthening her ability to work across both breaking news and in-depth explanatory stories. Covering multiple beats early in her career has helped her be informed about her current work, allowing her to connect domestic developments with wider international trends.<br><br> At Live Mint, she focuses on international and geopolitical issues through a business and economic lens, examining how global political developments, foreign policy decisions, and power shifts impact markets, industries, and India’s strategic and economic interests.<br><br> She holds a Bachelor’s degree in English (Honours) from the University of Delhi and a Master’s degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University. Her academic training has shaped her emphasis on precision, analytical rigour, and clarity in writing. Her interests include global political economy and the intersection of geopolitics with business.<br><br> Outside work, Swati focuses on exploring her passion and love for food. From fancy cafes to street spots, Swati explores food like a true foodie.
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