Sen. Lindsey Graham Returns to Israel, Urges Larger U.S. Operation Against Iran
Sen. Lindsey Graham announced on X that he is traveling to Israel again to meet Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his team, calling this a 'crucial time in the history of the Middle East' and praising what he terms the Trump–Netanyahu alliance. In his post, Graham said the goal of the visit is to 'build on the historic opportunities created by President Trump’s unprecedented leadership' and to 'stand up to evil' while supporting 'people who are sacrificing for freedom.' The South Carolina Republican has simultaneously been using social media and video clips to advocate a major U.S. operation against Iran, saying he is 'in the camp of bigger' when it comes to potential strikes and calling for stopping those killing protesters 'by any means necessary ASAP.' His rhetoric comes as the Trump administration rolls out new sanctions on Iranian officials and weighs further action, putting one of the Senate’s leading GOP hawks visibly in Israel’s corner at the same time he pushes for a harder line on Tehran. The trip underscores how close coordination between pro-Israel Republicans and the Netanyahu government could shape the next steps in U.S. policy toward Iran and the wider region.
📌 Key Facts
- Lindsey Graham said Thursday on X he is traveling to Israel to meet Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his team.
- Graham described the Trump–Netanyahu relationship as 'one of the strongest partnerships in the history of the U.S.-Israel relationship' and said he wants to 'build on' Trump’s 'unprecedented leadership.'
- In separate posts and video, Graham has urged President Trump to conduct a 'bigger' operation against Iran and to stop those killing protesters 'by any means necessary ASAP.'
📊 Relevant Data
US sanctions on Iran since 2018 have caused the economy to contract sharply, with projections of further shrinkage in 2025-2026 due to declining oil income and renewed sanctions, contributing to widespread protests over economic hardship.
Iran: What challenges face the country in 2026? — UK Parliament Commons Library
Iran has experienced significant brain drain, with nearly 180,000 educated professionals emigrating in 2019 alone, driven by political instability and economic pressures including sanctions, costing the country an estimated $50 billion annually as of 2017 World Bank figures (adjusted for relevance).
The Costs and Consequences of Iran's Brain Drain — Gulf International Forum
The 2025-2026 protests in Iran, starting December 28, 2025, over soaring prices and currency collapse, have spread nationwide across provinces, with many participants being Persian-majority urban residents seeking economic recovery and social freedoms.
Iran's protests have spread across provinces, despite skepticism and concern among ethnic groups — The Conversation
US sanctions have eroded Iran's middle class since 2012, undoing decades of social progress and creating hardships for ordinary people, including reduced access to healthcare and education.
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