Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina issued a warning on Sunday regarding the possibility of Iran developing a nuclear weapon in the months leading up to the U.S. presidential election. Graham expressed concern over a recent report from the Director of National Intelligence that highlighted the status of Iran's nuclear program.
Graham emphasized his worries about Iran's potential sprint towards nuclear weapon capabilities, particularly in the period before the election. He stressed the importance of preventing such a scenario and holding Iran accountable to avoid further escalation.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken had previously cautioned that Iran could produce fissile nuclear material within a short timeframe. While Blinken attributed Iran's accelerated nuclear development to the collapse of the Iran nuclear deal, Graham pointed to President Biden and Vice President Harris as failing to effectively manage the situation.
Graham criticized the current administration for what he described as a lack of control over Iran's leadership, leading to increased tensions in the region. He highlighted recent attacks on Israel, including a deadly rocket strike from Lebanon that Israeli authorities attributed to the Iran-backed group Hezbollah.
The senator underscored the need to hold Iran accountable for actions carried out by its proxies, warning of further attacks on Israel if decisive measures are not taken. Graham suggested targeting Iran's oil refineries as a potential strategy to deter future aggression.
In conclusion, Graham emphasized the importance of sending a clear message to Iran to prevent further destabilization in the region and protect Israel from ongoing threats posed by Iranian-backed groups.
