Sen. Lindsey Graham said on “Face the Nation” that the United States would “annihilate” Iran if it resisted control of the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran claims “violation” of ceasefire, closes Strait of Hormuz
Iran plans to close the Strait of Hormuz again due to what its leaders say are “continued ceasefire violations.”
Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) appeared on CBS’ “Face the Nation” with Margaret Brennan to emphasize diplomacy as President Donald Trump’s administration seeks to end wars in the Middle East and negotiations with Iran continue.
Asked whether he agreed with the public comments made by Sens. Ted Cruz and John Cornyn of Texas and Sen. Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, who were cautious about sending U.S. funds to Iran and questioned the Trump administration, Graham said he believes the United States should continue diplomatic negotiations with Iran, but that they will fail.
“The money Iran gets is not going to change Iran’s future,” Graham said. “It’s not enough just to rebuild the country,” he said, adding, “Let’s try to find a diplomatic solution. I think we will fail.”
And after spending more than four hours with Trump on June 19, Graham said he believed Trump would use force to seize the Strait of Hormuz if talks failed. Graham said the United States would control the Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway, impose a toll on everyone who crosses it, expand the Abraham Accords diplomatic agreement and require Saudi Arabia to join.
Graham said the United States would “annihilate” Iran if it resisted U.S. rule. “If Iran challenges U.S. control of the Strait of Hormuz, we will eliminate Iran,” Graham told Brennan. “So, everyone listening, if this diplomatic effort fails, President Trump will occupy the Strait of Hormuz.”
The closure of the Strait of Hormuz, crucial to global oil supplies, has damaged the fragile peace agreement negotiated by the Trump administration. It also highlights Iran’s geographic and economic influence in the region and its intentions to exploit it. The United States has so far been unable to rein in the Israeli government.
Iran had previously announced it had closed the strait after its leaders cited “continued ceasefire violations” by Israel following military attacks in Lebanon, state media reported on June 20.
Contributor: Zachary Schermele
