“Some of our allies have chosen the sidelines in a fight they can’t afford to lose,” US Sen. Lindsey Graham wrote on X/Twitter overnight. He was linking to a discussion he had on Fox News about the Iran war.
Graham has become increasingly outspoken during the Iran war, upbraiding countries and discussing what their policies should be.
For instance, on Monday, he wrote that “the American Embassy is being evacuated in Riyadh because of sustained attacks by Iran against the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.”
He went on to note, “It is my understanding the Kingdom refuses to use their capable military as a part of an effort to end the barbaric and terrorist Iranian regime who has terrorized the region and killed 7 Americans. Question – why should America do a defense agreement with a country like the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia that is unwilling to join a fight of mutual interest?”
He also appeared slightly nonplussed with Israel for airstrikes targeting energy facilities around Tehran.
Graham: There will soon be a day when the Iranian people decide their own fate
“Our allies in Israel have shown amazing capability when it comes to collapsing the murderous regime in Iran. America is most appreciative. However, there will be a day soon that the Iranian people will be in charge of their own fate, not the murderous ayatollah’s regime,” he noted.
“In that regard, please be cautious about what targets you select. Our goal is to liberate the Iranian people in a fashion that does not cripple their chance to start a new and better life when this regime collapses. The oil economy of Iran will be essential to that endeavor.”
He linked to an Axios report about the US being dismayed by Israel’s strikes on fuel sites around Tehran, strikes that turned the sky black and led to oily rain.
The American senator has also chimed in on other issues. When Iran reportedly selected a new supreme leader, he wrote: “When it comes to the future of the region and that of the Iranian people, the son of the late murderous ayatollah is not the change we’re looking for.”
He also excoriated Lebanon after reports indicated Lebanon’s army chief, Rudolphe Haykal, has resisted efforts to disarm Hezbollah.
“I hope such media reports are not true. If they are, then why should the US continue to support the Lebanese Armed Forces with this kind of leadership? I’m for America First, not Hezbollah First.”
He said Spain had lost its way in its policies opposing the Iran war.
“It’s time for our European allies to have moral clarity when it comes to the Iranian people and their fight for freedom,” he also noted.
On March 2, Graham called for the US to unleash its military alongside Israel in strikes on Hezbollah. “Hezbollah has chosen a losing battle. With American blood on their hands, I’m urging the President to unleash the full force of the United States military.”
Graham’s outspoken rhetoric amid the war has garnered attention. In addition, several reports have highlighted how he pushed for war before the strikes began on February 28. Politico has an article titled “How Graham got Trump to yes on Iran.” The Wall Street Journal also reported on “Lindsey Graham’s quest to sell Trump on striking Iran.”
Graham’s outspoken methods have also led to some pushback.
Middle East Eye noted that “Khalaf al-Habtoor, a prominent Emirati billionaire, has ruled out the UAE getting involved in the war on Iran.” The report said, “Habtoor noted that US Republican Senator Lindsey Graham had in recent days called on Gulf Cooperation Council countries to join the US and Israel in its war on Iran. A few hours after it was posted, his statement appeared to have been removed.”
Although that post was removed, in a separate post on Sunday, Habtoor argued that “we must speak clearly and take firm positions. Arab countries are not a battleground for others, nor a card in the calculations of the great powers. And the United States must clearly and frankly choose to stand with the interests of Arab countries in this region, rather than continue to side with Israel at the expense of its Arab partners. For the continuation of this approach will weaken those alliances and threaten the common interests that have been built over decades.”