Conservative media commentator Tucker Carlson recently claimed that U.S. intelligence agencies are pushing for a criminal investigation against him, and may charge him under the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) for acting as an unregistered agent of the Iranian government.
The 56-year-old Carlson said in a video posted on X on the evening of Saturday, March 14, that the CIA is preparing to submit a so-called “criminal referral” to the U.S. Department of Justice, accusing him of criminal activity.
Carlson said the alleged crime is related to his communications with Iranian contacts before the outbreak of the U.S.-Iran conflict.
“They [the CIA] read my texts,” Carlson said in the video. “The alleged crime is that I talked to people in Iran before the war started.”
He added that investigators may try to charge him under the Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938, which requires anyone representing a foreign government in political lobbying or public influence activities — and receiving compensation — to register with the Department of Justice and regularly disclose related activities.
Carlson denies acting as an agent for Iran
Success
You are now signed up for our newsletter
Success
Check your email to complete sign up
Carlson denied being an agent of any foreign power and emphasized that he has never received financial support from a foreign government.
“I am not an agent of a foreign power,” he said. “Unlike many who comment on U.S. politics and international affairs, I have only one loyalty: to the United States.”
He also stated that communicating with sources from different countries is part of his job as a journalist and commentator.
“My job is to talk to all kinds of people to understand what’s happening in the world,” Carlson said. “I am an American, and I can talk to anyone.”
However, the Independent noted that Carlson did not provide evidence in the video to show that he is actually facing a criminal investigation. Media outlets have sought comment from the CIA and the Department of Justice, but so far have not received a response.
Criticism of Iran war worsens relations with Trump
Recently, Carlson has criticized President Trump’s military actions against Iran, including the operation known as “Epic Fury.”
He described the lethal strike against Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and his family as “disgusting and evil,” saying the war was tatamount to “fighting for Israel.”
These comments prompted backlash from the White House.
In an ABC interview on March 5, Trump said that “Tucker has lost his way,” and added that he was “not part of MAGA.”
Multiple pre-war meetings with the president spark speculation
Reports indicate that in the weeks before the U.S.-Israel joint action against Iran, Carlson met with Trump at the White House several times.
In the weeks leading up to the war, Carlson visited the Oval Office three times to discuss U.S. policy on Iran and express opposition to the conflict.
One meeting took place around Feb. 23, shortly after an interview he conducted with U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee.
Additionally, in July 2025, Carlson interviewed Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. This elicited criticism from some quarters, saying that Carlson gave the Iranian government a platform to broadcast information globally. Carlson had faced similar controversy for interviewing Vladimir Putin, president of Russia.
Canadian information warfare expert Marcus Kolga said that such interviews could serve as an important channel for Iran’s information operations.
Carlson’s recent criticism of the Iran war has also drawn dissatisfaction from some conservatives. Fox News host Mark Levin accused Carlson of amplifying narratives favorable to America’s adversaries in Middle East issues.
Meanwhile, some critics alleged Carlson might have received funding from Qatar, a claim he has strongly denied.
Currently, neither the CIA nor the Department of Justice has publicly responded to Carlson’s claims about the investigation.
