Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) urged President Trump to go “all in” for Israel in its conflict with Iran during an appearance on Fox News with Sean Hannity, stating, “It’s time to close the chapters of the Ayatollahs and their henchmen.”
Graham asserted that the U.S. should be prepared to execute bombing missions within Iran to dismantle the regime if necessary.
“President Trump, do everything possible to assist Israel in neutralizing the nuclear threat,” he declared. “If we need to provide bombs to Israel, we will. If joint operations require us to send planes alongside Israel, we will do that too.”
He posed a significant question: “Wouldn’t the world be better off if the Ayatollah were ousted and replaced with something better? Isn’t a reformed Iran a better scenario?”
Graham subsequently answered his own question.
“It’s time to move past the Ayatollah and his associates. Let’s hurry this process along and usher in a new chapter for the Middle East—one defined by tolerance, hope, and peace,” he stated.
Republicans in South Carolina are known as strong military proponents within the party, having long supported aggressive measures against Iran.
Recent Israeli strikes have showcased their impressive capabilities, hitting Iran targets that include military leaders and nuclear scientists. However, Israeli forces lack the powerful munitions available in the U.S. arsenal, which are capable of neutralizing Iran’s fortified underground nuclear facilities in Fordau.
Trump reportedly believes that whether Israel plays a direct role in targeting these facilities could significantly hinder Iran’s progress on nuclear weapons.
“In simple terms, Iran must not acquire nuclear weapons,” Trump stated on Monday regarding the crisis. “I have reiterated this consistently! It’s time for everyone to distance themselves from Tehran!”
The White House is also discussing Iran’s potential return to nuclear negotiations after Iran walked away from recent discussions. Axios reports.
Iranian officials have reached out to Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Oman, requesting that they urge Trump to collaborate with Israel in exchange for flexibility in nuclear negotiations. Reuters reported on Monday.
After departing from the G7 summit in Canada, Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One on Tuesday morning that special envoys, Steve Witkov and Vice President Vance, may meet with Iranian representatives.
However, he added that he feels “not much inclination to negotiate” with Iran and is not interested in a temporary ceasefire.
“We’re looking for more than just a ceasefire… we want a definitive end, not merely a temporary pause.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu shows no intention of halting what is the largest air assault on Iran, forecasting it could persist for several weeks.
Netanyahu told ABC News that he will not rule out targeting Iran’s supreme leader, Ali Khamenei. He dismissed any reported diplomatic overtures from Tehran toward the U.S.
“I’m not surprised. They want to keep up the pretense of negotiation while continuing their pursuit of nuclear capabilities and ballistic missile technology. They aim to pose existential threats to Israel even while talking. That will not be tolerated.”
Source: thehill.com