Netanyahu on Graham’s Iran Nuclear Stance
Netanyahu says Lindsey Graham was very clear about one thing: the United States must eliminate Iran’s nuclear program. The Israeli Prime Minister shared these reflections after the passing of the South Carolina senator, speaking with NBC News’s Kristen Welker on “Meet the Press.” Graham’s firm position on Iran became a defining element of his foreign policy legacy.
A Friend Who Spoke Truth
According to Netanyahu, Graham communicated his convictions with unmistakable directness in his final days. The Israeli leader recalled how the senator pressed him to act decisively against Tehran’s nuclear ambitions. Netanyahu says Lindsey Graham was very vocal about this priority, never mincing words when discussing what needed to happen.
“We removed this immediate and present danger of Iran with nuclear weapons that would’ve posed a danger to everybody,” Netanyahu explained. “And I think that Lindsey was unabashed. He talked to me about it. He said, ‘You know, you have to do it. You have to do it.’ He came to me and said, ‘Bibi, you have to do it. You have to knock out these nuclear weapons program before they knock us out.’ He was very clear about that.”
The senator maintained that a strong Israel served American interests, while American prosperity benefited Israel in return. Graham viewed Iran as a threat extending beyond the Middle East to reach the United States directly. Netanyahu says Lindsey Graham was very consistent in this assessment throughout his career.
Traditional Values and Steadfast Principles
Netanyahu described Graham as a man of unwavering principles who never compromised his positions. The Israeli prime minister compared Graham’s character to the values celebrated in Superman comics—freedom, justice, and the American way. He noted that Graham embodied these traditional values without hesitation.
Graham had established himself as a prominent defense hawk who repeatedly advocated for American military action against Iran. His position was rooted in concerns about threats to both Israel and regional stability. Netanyahu says Lindsey Graham was very influential in shaping American policy toward the Middle East.
“Frankly, I’m in a state of shock,” Netanyahu told Welker. “Because as President Trump said, Lindsey was so vibrant. He was so full of life. He was so full of energy and dedication that it’s hard to accept the fact that he is no more. I think America has lost a great patriot.”
Tensions During a Critical Period
Graham’s death occurred during heightened tensions between the United States and Iran. President Trump had recently declared that the fragile interim agreement with Iran appeared to be collapsing. This assessment followed Iran’s announcement that the Strait of Hormuz had been closed after Iranian military forces targeted the Cyprus-flagged container ship GFS Galaxy.
The attack on the vessel and the subsequent closure of the strategic waterway triggered a third wave of American military strikes against Iranian targets. These developments came shortly after initial U.S. and Israeli operations conducted in February.
Following those early strikes, Graham emerged as a vocal supporter of the military campaign. He expressed confidence that the temporary peace arrangement between Washington and Tehran would ultimately prove unsuccessful. In a recent interview with CBS News’s “Face the Nation,” Graham told host Margaret Brennan that the United States would need to pursue war or alternative coercive measures if the interim agreement failed.
“Let’s try this, let’s try a diplomatic solution,” Graham added, referring to the interim deal. “I think it’s going to fail.”
Through these statements and actions, Graham demonstrated a consistent commitment to addressing what he perceived as critical threats to American and allied interests. His passing leaves a significant void in American foreign policy discourse, particularly regarding Middle Eastern security challenges.
