Senator Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) called for a decisive military escalation on Monday afternoon, urging the United States to deliver a “big, strong and short response” to Iran following a series of missile and drone strikes against the United Arab Emirates.
The Senator’s demand for action comes as a month-old ceasefire teeters on the brink of total collapse.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps launched the bombardment on Monday, targeting the UAE—a primary U.S. ally—just one day after U.S. Central Command announced “Project Freedom,” a new operation aimed at securing the Strait of Hormuz.
“The combination of Iran’s attack against UAE’s vital infrastructure and continued attacks on international shipping, including a South Korean cargo ship, more than justifies a big, strong and short response to inflict further damage on Iran’s war machine,” Graham posted on X.
READ: Fire In The Strait: Ceasefire Teeters As Missiles Rain On UAE And US Launches ‘Project Freedom’
The Senator praised the UAE as a “champion ally” and argued that the latest strikes prove a diplomatic solution is currently out of reach. Graham also framed a military response as a necessary geopolitical correction, stating it would “reinforce that America is back as a reliable ally” and repair diplomatic damage he attributed to the previous administration.
While Graham pushed for retaliation, military leaders remained more cautious in their terminology. CENTCOM head Admiral Brad Cooper declined to officially declare the April 8 ceasefire dead, though he confirmed U.S. forces destroyed six Iranian “fast boats” as the violence unfolded.
Cooper maintained that the U.S. has cleared an “effective pathway” for transit, even as maritime tracking data showed most commercial vessels are still avoiding the area or sticking to Iranian-controlled lanes.
President Donald Trump addressed the situation on Truth Social, noting that Iran had targeted “unrelated Nations” and suggested it was time for South Korea to join the coalition following the strike on their cargo ship. “We’ve shot down seven small Boats… It’s all they have left,” the President stated.
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The UAE Ministry of Defence confirmed its air defenses were actively intercepting ballistic and cruise missiles throughout the day. As the threat of broader war looms, the prospect of a U.S. draft has surfaced in political circles. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told Fox News that while a draft is not part of the current plan, the President “does not remove options off of the table.”
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Dan Caine are scheduled to hold a news conference Tuesday morning to address the escalating crisis.
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