In a Sunday morning interview, Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) declared that the “mothership of terrorism is sinking” following a massive joint military operation by the United States and Israel that killed Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Appearing on NBC’s Meet the Press, Graham praised President Donald Trump for the strikes, which began Saturday and targeted military and nuclear infrastructure across Iran. The operation, which President Trump confirmed killed a “large amount of leadership,” has plunged the region into a state of open conflict.
“I don’t know if this is technically a war, but here’s what I can say the headline is for me Sunday: The mothership of terrorism is sinking. The captain is dead,” Graham told moderator Kristen Welker.
Strikes and Retaliation
The military action, described by the administration as a defensive move against “imminent threats,” has already triggered a wave of Iranian responses. Missiles have struck targets across the Middle East, including a high-rise in Bahrain, an iconic hotel in Dubai, and areas in Qatar. All three nations host significant U.S. military installations.
In response to the escalation, President Trump issued a stark warning on social media Sunday morning, stating that any further retaliation from Tehran would be met with “a force that has never been seen before.”
The Goal: “Change the Threat, Not the Regime”
While the strikes have effectively decapitated the Iranian leadership, Graham insisted that the primary objective is to dismantle Iran’s military capabilities rather than force a specific political outcome.
“The goal of this operation is to change the threat, not the regime,” Graham said. “When this operation’s over, no matter who takes over in Iran, they will not have ballistic missiles to hurt us, Israel, or the region.”
When questioned about the potential for a “forever war” or a vacuum of power similar to the aftermath of the Iraq War, Graham was dismissive. He emphasized that the United States would not put “boots on the ground” and that the future of Iran rests with its own people.
“We’re not going to occupy the country. We’re going to give the people of Iran a chance to do something they’ve never had before: chart their own destiny,” Graham stated.
A New Regional Order
Graham suggested that the fall of the current Iranian leadership could pave the way for a historic realignment in the Middle East. He expressed hope that the removal of the “irritant” in Tehran would lead to normalized relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel.
“If the fall of this regime would lead to normalization between Saudi Arabia and Israel—the center of gravity for Islam is Saudi Arabia, the one and only Jewish state—it would be historic,” Graham said.
Constitutional Debate
The interview also touched on the legal authority for the strikes. Welker pressed the Senator on whether Congress should vote to approve the military action, noting Graham’s 2002 vote for the Iraq War.
Graham argued that the current situation is different, claiming the War Powers Act is “unconstitutional” and that the President has the inherent authority to eliminate threats.
“This is a military operation designed to eliminate threats that have existed against our country,” Graham said. “He has the legal authority to do it. And these operations will continue until the threat is no longer there.”
As of Sunday morning, Israeli officials report that at least 40 Iranian military commanders were killed in the initial waves of the assault. The world remains on high alert as the full scope of Iran’s retaliatory capabilities—and the U.S.-Israeli response—continues to unfold.
READ: North Carolina Sen. Thom Tillis Slams “Out Of His Depth” Stephen Miller, Backs Mullin At DHS
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