‘We will obliterate them’: Graham issues stark warning on Iran if talks collapse
CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCIV) — Sen. Lindsey Graham said Sunday he expects U.S. diplomacy with Iran to fall short, warning that the Trump administration could move to seize control of the Strait of Hormuz if negotiations collapse.
“Let’s try a diplomatic solution. I think it’s going to fail. What happens next?” the South Carolina Republican said on CBS’ “Face the Nation.”
Graham’s remarks come as U.S. officials, including Vice President JD Vance, meet Iranian counterparts in Switzerland to begin a 60-day negotiation period following a newly signed memorandum aimed at easing tensions and addressing Iran’s nuclear program.
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While emphasizing he supports trying diplomacy, Graham outlined a stark alternative if talks break down.
“I spent 4.5 hours with President Trump on Friday, here’s what I think is going to happen, Graham explained. “If this deal fails,” which Graham predicted it will, “President Trump is going to take the Strait of Hormuz over by force,” Graham said. “The United States will control the Strait of Hormuz. We’ll charge a fee for all those who go through to pay for the operation, and we’re going to expand the Abraham Accords in calendar year 2026.”
Graham also delivered a blunt warning about potential military escalation.
“If Iran contests control of the Strait of Hormuz by the United States, we will obliterate them,” he said.
He added that under such a scenario, the United States would not only control the waterway but also more directly confront Iran’s regional activity.
“If this diplomatic effort fails, President Trump is going to take the Strait of Hormuz. We’re going to run it,” Graham said. “We’re going to try to get Saudi Arabia to join the Abraham Accords, end the Arab-Israeli conflict in 2026. And if Iran continues to attack Israel and Lebanon, the new policy will be, we’ll hit Iran.”
The Abraham Accords are a series of U.S.-backed agreements that normalized diplomatic and economic ties between Israel and several Arab nations. The agreements marked a major shift in Middle East diplomacy, with participating countries pursuing cooperation in trade, security and technology despite longstanding regional tensions. Expanding the accords, particularly to include Saudi Arabia, has been a key goal for Trump and his allies.
Graham’s comments don’t come as a mighty surprise, as he has upheld an aggressive approach towards the Middle East for years, frequently arguing for military pressure and warning about Tehran’s regional ambitions and nuclear program. Graham’s militaristic view has only gotten more aggressive since the launch of Operation Epic Fury, contributing to the rising tensions between the United States and Iran.
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Earlier this month, Graham sharply criticized initial outlines of the current agreement, especially a proposed $300 billion reconstruction fund for Iran, comparing it to rebuilding Nazi Germany while its leadership remained in power. But on Sunday, he suggested his concerns had eased somewhat after learning the funding would likely come from Gulf allies rather than Western governments.
“Before, I thought the money was coming from the West,” Graham said. Now, he argued, funding from Gulf states could signal shifting attitudes in the region. “It would mean that the Sunni Arabs believe that Iran has changed to the point they want to be a business partner.”
Still, Graham expressed skepticism about the deal’s overall impact.
Calling the memorandum “problematic,” he said Iran’s potential financial gains would be limited. “The money Iran gets is not going to change the future of Iran,” he said. “It’s not enough to reconstruct the country.”
Despite his doubts, Graham reiterated that pursuing diplomacy remains worthwhile, even as he forecasts its failure and lays out a forceful U.S. response.
“I’d rather try diplomacy than take it off the table.”