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Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), who has bounced back and forth on the memorandum of understanding reached by the Trump administration with Iran, on Friday said it was “delusional” to think Tehran was stronger after the war than before it.
Graham argued that Iran’s ability to be the largest state sponsor of terrorism in the world had been seriously degraded by the blows to its government and military from U.S. and Israeli strikes.
He also questioned whether it could carry out a terrorist attack like the brutal Oct. 7, 2023, campaign on Israel by the Iran-backed militant group Hamas, which itself has been hit hard by Israel.
“To those who say Iran is stronger now than before, that is an insult to the American military and it is delusional thinking because the Iranian economy is in shambles,” Graham wrote in a post on X.
Graham also offered support for Trump’s shift to seeking a diplomatic resolution for Iran’s nuclear program, an issue that drove the start of the months-long war.
The Trump administration and Iran agreed to a memorandum of understanding (MOU) this week that ends the fighting between the two countries and opens the Strait of Hormuz, through which 20 percent of the world’s oil supply flows. Getting the strait open was a key focus of Trump’s given the damage to the U.S. economy, and the threat to Republicans running in this fall’s elections.
The MOU sets up new negotiations on Iran’s nuclear program and other issues, though initial talks were already postponed.
The deal has come under criticism from Republicans in Congress, Democrats and voices in Israel who argue it gives too much to Iran after the defeat of its military. A $300 billion fund to help rebuild Iran has particularly come under criticism.
Israel has raised concerns about the fact that the deal would allow Iran to retain its missile system. Trump publicly said he could not expect to prevent Iran from having missiles when its rivals, such as Saudi Arabia, have them. Yet the missiles have been a real threat to Israel, the top regional ally of the U.S.
The deal calls for an end to fighting in Lebanon, where Israel has been battling Hezbollah, another militant group backed by Iran. That has worried Israel, which is not a party to the MOU and has insisted it must be allowed to defend itself. Trump has criticized Israel’s government for striking back with too much force against some Hezbollah attacks.
Graham made a defense of Israel in his post on social media.
“In the meantime, as we pursue diplomacy, make it crystal clear that Israel will not have to tolerate being attacked by Iranian proxies who cause parts of Israel to be uninhabitable,” Graham wrote in an obvious nod to Hezbollah.
Graham at the beginning of the week had voiced some criticism of the evolving MOU, saying he was worried that he was hearing a difference description of the deal from Iran than from the U.S.
“I am somewhat concerned that Iran’s view of the agreement seems different than what the American negotiating team is claiming,” the South Carolina Republican said.
But in a Wednesday post, Graham was more positive about the deal.
The senator shared in a social media post Wednesday afternoon that he had a “very lengthy and productive discussion” with special envoy Steve Witkoff about the negotiations.
“After this discussion, it is my opinion that signing the MOU will be beneficial to the United States, in as much as the Strait of Hormuz will begin to open, and the hostilities with Iran will stop,” Graham wrote.
“Whether or not the United States can reach an acceptable, verifiable deal with Iran regarding its nuclear program and other issues is yet to be determined, but I see little downside to trying,” he continued. “The economic stability that comes from opening up the Strait and the cessation of hostilities could create a pathway to peace well beyond the Iranian conflict.”
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