Israel-First GOP Senator Lindsey Graham has called for President Trump to order additional military strikes targeting Iran’s civilian energy infrastructure, arguing such actions are necessary to “hurt them more” and prevent the Islamic regime from obtaining nuclear weapons.
During a recent interview with Meet the Press host Kristin Welker, Graham stated that Iran refuses to negotiate with the United States and has repeatedly sought to destroy Israel. He emphasized that attacking Iran’s economic infrastructure—specifically its oil sector—is critical for national security: “The energy infrastructure is their soft underbelly,” he said.
Graham identified Kharg Island as a strategic target, noting U.S. forces could seize it to disrupt Iran’s oil production capabilities. In a separate interview with Fox News host Shannon Bream, the senator asserted that Marine Expeditionary Units could accomplish this by referencing past successes at Iwo Jima. “We can do this,” he told Bream.
The Senator also expressed willingness to sacrifice his political position: “I’d happily give up both houses of Congress to keep Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon,” he told Welker. Graham acknowledged that his proposals could harm Republican prospects in upcoming midterm elections but argued the stakes are too high. He drew parallels between President Trump’s approach to Iran and Winston Churchill’s response to Nazi Germany, stating: “Whatever price we have to pay to beat Hitler, we will pay.”
Graham has visited Israel every two weeks and previously told Fox News commentator Sean Hannity that he would encourage Americans to send their sons and daughters to the Middle East in defense of Israel. Analysts caution that Iran has a history of retaliating against U.S. military actions by striking oil facilities in Saudi Arabia and Qatar, as seen following an incident involving Iran’s Pars South gas field.
