Sen. Lindsey Graham: "Let's try a diplomatic solution. I think it's going to fail."
Updated on: June 21, 2026 / 12:22 PM EDT / CBS News
TL;DR
- Sen. Lindsey Graham expects U.S. diplomatic attempts with Iran to fail.
- He supports trying diplomacy but is skeptical of its success.
- If diplomacy fails, Graham predicts President Trump will take control of the Strait of Hormuz by force.
- The plan includes charging fees for passage through the Strait of Hormuz to fund operations.
- Graham aims to expand the Abraham Accords in 2026, potentially including Saudi Arabia.
- He stated that Iran would be "obliterated" if it contests U.S. control of the Strait of Hormuz.
- Graham's stance on reconstruction funds for Iran has evolved; he now believes Gulf states might provide the money.
- He considers the allocated reconstruction funds insufficient to change Iran's future.
- Conflict between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah has already endangered a U.S.-Iran ceasefire.