Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) reaffirmed his strong support for Israel on Monday, declaring during a television appearance that his commitment to the country is unwavering even as the war with Iran continues to dominate global headlines.
Speaking on Fox News’s Hannity, Graham offered a full-throated defense of Israel and its military campaign against Iran, pledging steadfast loyalty to one of America’s closest allies in the Middle East.
“To our friends in Israel, God bless you,” Graham said during the broadcast. “I am with you in every way.”
He went on to underscore the depth of his commitment with a striking statement.
“I will be with Israel until our dying day,” the senator said, though it was unclear whose “dying day” he was referring to.
Graham has long been one of the most vocal advocates in Washington for taking a tougher stance against Iran, frequently warning about the threat he believes the Iranian government poses to the region and to U.S. allies.
His comments come just days after the United States and Israel launched a major bombing campaign targeting Iran. The operation marks the second joint bombing campaign against the country since last summer.
Both campaigns unfolded while the United States and Iran were engaged in ongoing talks related to Tehran’s nuclear program.
The current round of strikes has already carried significant consequences. According to reports, more than 1,000 Iranians have been killed since the bombing began last Saturday, including Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and numerous senior officials.
Tragically, civilians have also been caught in the violence. An elementary school in southern Iran was struck during the fighting, killing at least 175 people, most of them children.
Officials within the Trump administration reportedly believe the United States may have been responsible for the strike on the school, although President Donald Trump has denied that claim.
Meanwhile, the conflict has also resulted in American casualties. Iranian retaliatory strikes have killed seven Americans since the war began.
Graham’s appearance on Hannity reflected the hardline stance he has taken for years regarding Iran’s leadership.
During the interview, the senator compared the Iranian government to Nazi Germany.
“They’re no more normal than Hitler was,” Graham said.
He also repeated President Trump’s claim that Iran was preparing to launch an attack before the United States and Israel began their bombing campaign.
In addition, Graham asserted—without providing evidence—that Iran would have possessed “11 nuclear bombs” within a year and suggested the regime would have used them.
The senator argued that allowing the current Iranian government to remain in power after the conflict would be a mistake.
“I believe with all my heart and soul, if the regime in Iran still stands when this is over, we’ve made a mistake,” Graham said.
He accused Iran’s leadership of lying about its nuclear program and said he believes the regime ultimately seeks the destruction of Israel.
“They wanna bomb because they’re Nazis. They’re crazy. They wanna kill all the Jews,” Graham said.
Graham also dismissed critics of the war, including those who argue the United States should avoid deeper involvement in foreign conflicts.
“To all the anti-Semites, to all the isolationists, I don’t — forget it,” he said. “I’m not with you. I’m with Israel.”
The senator’s position comes amid new reporting about his involvement in discussions surrounding the war.
According to The Wall Street Journal, Graham traveled to Israel multiple times in the weeks leading up to the bombing campaign. The report said he met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and discussed how to present the case for war to President Trump.
The Journal also reported that Graham met with members of Israeli intelligence services during those visits.
“They’ll tell me things our own government won’t tell me,” Graham said of those meetings.
As the conflict continues to unfold, Graham’s outspoken support for Israel highlights the ongoing divide in Washington over how far the United States should go in confronting Iran. Even among conservatives, the war has sparked debate about the balance between supporting allies abroad and avoiding another prolonged conflict with unpredictable consequences.
