Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, a prominent Israel supporter and close ally of President Donald Trump, published a lengthy post today (Tuesday) addressing the future of Middle East relations and efforts with Iran. His remarks are particularly notable given reservations he voiced in recent days about the diplomatic track Trump is pursuing against Tehran.
After details of the initial understandings between the U.S. and Iran were published, Graham expressed concern that the emerging deal doesn’t provide sufficient guarantees for Israel’s security and may not fully prevent Iran’s nuclear ambitions. But now, without explicitly walking back his criticism, he is presenting a more positive approach — emphasizing the strategic potential in the move if it leads to broader regional change.
In his post, Graham wrote: “In my view, one of the most important things President Trump said today is his desire to expand the Abraham Accords, thereby bringing historic stability and prosperity to the Middle East. President Trump is right in his analysis that this can only be achieved if the region believes Iran has been weakened or has changed its behavior as a destabilizing force and supporter of terrorist organizations.”
Graham added: “I sincerely hope that the upcoming negotiations, designed to close once and for all the possibility of Iran obtaining nuclear weapons, will succeed. Following President Trump’s actions, it’s clear to me that Iran and its proxies have been significantly weakened, their ability to produce another October 7-style attack no longer exists, and significant damage has been done to their nuclear capabilities.
“The ultimate achievement in dealing with Iran is opening a path to peace through expanding the Abraham Accords and deepening regional integration. If the confrontation with Iran yields such a result, it will be considered one of the most successful military operations in American history. Mr. President, you are right to focus your sights on the real prize: regional integration and sustainable peace,” Graham wrote.