Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) sparked renewed debate over the United States’ role in the escalating conflict with Iran after suggesting Monday that Saudi Arabia should enter into a “mutual defense agreement” with the United States — a proposal he outlined during a television appearance despite the fact that negotiating treaties is typically the responsibility of the executive branch.
Graham made the remarks during an appearance on Fox News’s Hannity, where the South Carolina senator discussed the ongoing war with Iran and urged America’s allies to take a more active role in confronting the Iranian regime.
The senator has long advocated for a tougher approach toward Tehran and has been one of the most outspoken supporters of President Donald Trump’s recent military strikes on Iran, which were carried out jointly with Israel.
The bombing campaign has already produced significant consequences. Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei was killed during one of the strikes, while another strike hit an elementary school, killing at least 175 people — most of them young girls who were students at the school.
President Trump has denied that the United States was responsible for the school strike. However, media reports have stated that the weapon used was a Tomahawk missile, which is possessed by the United States but not by Iran or Israel.
According to reporting from The Wall Street Journal, Graham was also actively involved in discussions leading up to the military operation. The outlet reported that the senator traveled to Israel in the weeks before the bombing campaign, where he met privately with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and members of Israeli intelligence services.
The report said Graham offered strategic advice on how to present the case for military action to President Trump.
During Monday’s interview with Fox News host Sean Hannity, Graham framed the conflict with Iran in stark historical terms, comparing the Iranian regime to Nazi Germany.
“People got Hitler wrong” by underestimating the threat he posed, Graham said, arguing that the same mistake was being made regarding Iran.
He also criticized the approaches taken by former Presidents Barack Obama and Joe Biden toward Tehran, calling them “fools” in their dealings with Iran.
In contrast, Graham said Trump recognized what he believes to be the regime’s true ambitions.
According to the senator, Iran does not seek peaceful nuclear power but instead intends to build nuclear weapons.
Graham claimed that if the United States had not acted, Iran would have obtained nuclear capabilities “within weeks.”
“If they had a weapon they would use it,” Graham said, adding that those who disagree with that assessment are “stupid” and “a fool.”
Beyond defending the military strikes, Graham used the interview to challenge several U.S. allies to become more directly involved in the conflict.
He criticized Spain for refusing to allow the United States to use its airbases during the war, saying he was encouraging President Trump to move American bases out of the country.
Spain’s decision, he argued, prevented the United States from using those bases “to protect the world against a religious Nazi regime.”
Graham then turned his attention to Saudi Arabia, which he described as a longtime partner.
“I’ve been your biggest champion,” the senator said, addressing Saudi leaders during the broadcast.
He then floated the idea of a sweeping defense pact.
“Here is what I wanna say to Saudi Arabia tonight: I am willing to make a mutual defense agreement with your country to give you protection in perpetuity,” Graham said.
Under the arrangement he has advocated, Graham said the United States would go to war on Saudi Arabia’s behalf if the kingdom were attacked by Iran.
He also referenced an attack on the U.S. embassy in Riyadh, arguing that such incidents should compel Saudi Arabia to join the fight.
“To Saudi Arabia, our embassy was hit in Riyadh, do you not have an obligation to join the fight with us?” Graham asked.
The senator also spoke about the seven American service members who have been killed in the conflict so far, saying the best way to honor them is to complete the mission.
“The best you can do is finish the job he died for,” Graham said of the most recent casualty, adding that those killed were “protecting America.”
Graham concluded by arguing that leaving Iran’s current leadership in power after the war would be a mistake.
“I believe with all my heart and soul, if the regime in Iran still stands when this is over we have made a mistake,” he said.
His remarks have not gone unchallenged. Former Fox News host Megyn Kelly reacted to a clip of Graham’s comments by questioning the senator’s tone.
“When did Lindsey Graham become our president?” Kelly asked on social media.
“In the past 24 hours he’s threatened Lebanon, Cuba, the Saudis, the wider Arab region and now — checks notes — Spain,” she added.
The exchange reflects a growing debate, even among conservatives, over how far the United States should go in the expanding conflict with Iran — and whether calls for broader confrontation risk pulling the country deeper into yet another prolonged war.
