Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) shocked viewers on Monday night’s edition of Hannity by declaring that the U.S. should not seize Iran’s Kharg Island, a complete reversal from what he said just weeks ago. This change comes as tensions between the U.S. and Iran continue to rise, with both sides exchanging fire in the Strait of Hormuz, a key waterway for the global oil industry.
Graham appeared on Fox News Sunday and urged President Donald Trump to take control of Kharg Island, which processes about 90% of Iran’s oil exports. His words were clear and direct: “Take Kharg Island, where all of the resources they have to produce oil. Control that island. Let this regime die on a vine.” He even compared the potential operation to the Battle of Iwo Jima, saying, “We did Iwo Jima, we can do this. The Marines, my money’s always on the Marines.”
On Monday, he delivered a very different message, reports Mediaite. “I’m not a real advocate of taking Kharg Island,” he said. “I think we oughta tell the Iranians we will destroy it from the air. That will accomplish the mission that I have in mind, which means they can never regenerate anytime soon to become the largest state sponsor of terrorism and their nuclear program’s been obliterated.”
Graham’s shift comes as the U.S.-Iran ceasefire grows increasingly unstable
Graham’s new position involves threatening to destroy Kharg Island from the air, weakening Iran’s military, and then stepping back to bring Israel and Saudi Arabia to the peace table. His reversal is happening against a backdrop of renewed conflict.
The U.S.-Israeli war on Iran has flared up again despite a fragile ceasefire, sending oil prices soaring, with Brent crude futures sitting at around $114 a barrel. The U.S. has imposed a blockade on Iran following the country’s restrictions on travel through the Strait of Hormuz, and Iran has fired on U.S. warships in the region. The U.S. military responded by destroying six small Iranian boats.
According to The Hill, just last week, Graham called for a “forceful response” to Iran after the UAE was targeted in attacks. “The combination of Iran’s attack against UAE’s vital infrastructure and continued attacks on international shipping, including a South Korean cargo ship, more than justifies a big, strong and short response to inflict further damage on Iran’s war machine,” he wrote in a post on social media.
Graham has been no stranger to controversy lately, as he recently faced criticism from his own GOP colleagues over his conduct and White House access. These attacks on the UAE involved missile and drone launches over its airspace, marking the first Iranian strikes since the U.S.-Iran ceasefire took effect in April.
Iran’s armed forces responded by saying they would not allow American combat forces or commercial ships to pass through without their permission. The back-and-forth between the two sides has made the situation in the region far more tense and unpredictable than it was just weeks ago. Graham’s new plan appears to be an attempt to weaken Iran without launching a full ground invasion.
By threatening to destroy Kharg Island from the air rather than physically seizing it, he seems to be pulling back from the more aggressive position he held just a month ago. Graham has also drawn scrutiny on domestic issues, including his $400 million taxpayer-funded bill for Trump’s ballroom that has already factored in cost overruns. Whether his new approach on Iran would be any more effective than his previous stance remains unclear.
Published: May 5, 2026 01:00 pm