Sen. Lindsey Graham called President Trump’s decision to bomb Iran’s Kharg Island “necessary” and believes it will end the war quicker — after relentess massive strikes decimated Tehran’s critical oil network.
Graham (R-S.C.) said the strikes were “bold” and “highly effective” in badly damaging the island, which controls 90% of Iran’s crude oil exports, in a post on X Saturday. He called it Tehran’s “crown jewel” – the same language Trump used Friday when he announced massive strikes on military targets there Friday.
A long-time Iran hawk, Graham said it’s rare that an enemy provides “you a single target like Kharg Island that could dramatically alter the outcome of the conflict.”
Sen. Lindsey Graham — a close ally of President Trump — is warning of the vital nature of controlling Iran’s Kharg Island. Getty Images“If Iran loses control or the ability to operate its oil infrastructure from Kharg Island, its economy is annihilated,” he wrote.
“He who controls Kharg Island, controls the destiny of this war.”
Jon Hoffman, a Middle East specialist with the libertarian Cato Institute, said Graham was “overselling it” with his comments about Kharg Island.
Graham posted on X Saturday about the “bold” and “highly effective” US attack on the Island, which is a transit hub for Iran’s oil. REUTERS“Kharg Island, it is very important. But that doesn’t fundamentally stop Iran’s ability to retaliate and put pain on the United States,” he said.
Graham’s post came after Trump’s own Truth Social post Friday where he said US strikes “obliterated every MILITARY target in Iran’s crown jewel, Kharg Island.”
Follow The Post’s coverage on the latest in the peace deal with Iran:
- Fed-up Trump threatens to ‘blow the s–t’ out of Iran — prompting Tehran to storm out of US peace talks
- Vance suggests US, Iran could ‘transform’ relationship but Tehran officials insist they’re not making friends: ‘Primary option is jihad’
- Trump vows to ‘hit Iran very hard again’ if Tehran doesn’t rein in Hezbollah
- Strait of Hormuz closing again, IRGC announces — as US Central Command says commercial traffic has ‘increased’
Kharg Island is just 15 miles off Iran’s coast. US Central Command said Saturday US forces carried out 90 strikes on naval mine storage sites, missile bunkers and other military sites on the island.
Trump vowed that if Iran does anything to interfere with “free and safe” shipping navigation through the Strait of Hormuz he would “immediately reconsider” his decision not to wipe out its oil infrastructure as well.
