'I Almost Cried': Previously Unseen Footage Shows Lindsey Graham Jubilant Over Iran War
Key Points:
- Newly released footage shows the late Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham expressing exuberant support for President Trump's large-scale US-Israeli military assault on Iran in February, a campaign Graham had long advocated for despite internal opposition.
- The footage reveals Graham's intent to push for even more aggressive military actions, including plans to persuade Trump to bomb Hezbollah in Lebanon, though Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu advised caution to avoid escalating the conflict.
- Critics, including International Crisis Group adviser Brian Finucane, condemned Graham's role in lobbying for the war, highlighting the devastating humanitarian impact such as the killing of Iranian children and accusing him of constitutional violations.
- Despite Graham's predictions of a swift US-Israeli victory, the conflict has extended into its fifth month without Iranian cities falling, underscoring the war's ongoing stalemate and complex regional dynamics.
- Recently, the US and Iran paused strikes to facilitate diplomatic talks after a ceasefire deal collapsed, indicating a potential, though uncertain, move toward de-escalation.