Minnesota Governor Criticized for Iran Strike Remarks

Walz's comments on the U.S. strike that killed Iranian leader Khamenei draw backlash from both sides of the aisle

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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Minnesota Governor Tim Walz faced intense criticism from both Democrats and Republicans after he posted a tweet objecting to the U.S. strike that killed Iranian leader Ali Hosseini Khamenei. Walz, a vocal critic of the Trump administration, was mocked on social media, with some accusing him of hypocrisy and others condemning his stance on the strike.

Why it matters

Walz's comments on the Iran strike highlight the divisive nature of foreign policy issues, with the governor's remarks drawing fire from both liberal and conservative critics. The incident also shines a light on the ongoing political tensions in Minnesota, where Walz has been a frequent target of criticism over his handling of issues like immigration enforcement and a Somali-linked childcare fraud scandal.

The details

After the U.S. strike that killed Iranian leader Ali Hosseini Khamenei, Walz posted a tweet saying 'No new wars.' This prompted a swift backlash, with critics accusing the governor of hypocrisy and being out of touch. Comedian Michael Rapaport, known for his anti-Trump commentary, slammed Walz by retweeting a response from an Israeli diplomat who said 'Iran started this war 47 years ago when they took Americans hostage.' Other critics, including a Republican congressman, mocked Walz for his past meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and his support for Ukraine.

  • The U.S. strike that killed Iranian leader Ali Hosseini Khamenei occurred on March 3, 2026.
  • Walz posted his tweet objecting to the strike on the same day, March 3, 2026.

The players

Tim Walz

The Democratic governor of Minnesota, who has been a vocal critic of the Trump administration and its policies.

Michael Rapaport

A comedian known for his anti-Trump commentary, who slammed Walz's tweet on the Iran strike.

Aviva Klompas

An Israeli diplomat who criticized Walz's tweet, saying 'Iran started this war 47 years ago when they took Americans hostage.'

Randy Fine

A Republican congressman from Florida who is a top pro-Israel voice in Congress, and who mocked Walz's tweet.

Cam Higby

A conservative videographer who has tweeted videos of his visits to Minneapolis during unrest, and who also criticized Walz's tweet.

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What they’re saying

“Iran started this war 47 years ago when they took Americans hostage Honestly, can people to crack open a book before posting nonsense?”

— Aviva Klompas, Israeli diplomat (Twitter)

“I'm glad that old bag of s— and his entire regime are gone. Ding dong that old bag of s— is dead. 72 virgins have got to deal with that bull— now; good luck ladies.”

— Michael Rapaport, Comedian (Twitter)

“Will this affect your Somali kickbacks?”

— Randy Fine, U.S. Congressman (Twitter)

“Didn't you just try to start a war with Trump a month ago?”

— Cam Higby, Conservative videographer (Twitter)

“Just be thankful this is changing the headlines from the Somali fraud in Minnesota.”

— Anonymous (Twitter)

What’s next

Late Monday, reports surfaced that Khamenei's wife Mansoureh Khojasteh Bagherzadeh succumbed to her injuries from the missile strike that killed her husband.

The takeaway

Walz's comments on the Iran strike highlight the deep political divisions in the U.S., with the governor's remarks drawing criticism from both sides of the aisle. The incident also underscores the ongoing tensions in Minnesota, where Walz has faced scrutiny over his handling of issues like immigration and a Somali-linked childcare fraud scandal.