Lindsey Graham, the Republican senator from South Carolina, urged Israel not to target Iran’s oil infrastructure as tensions escalate following a wave of missile attacks across the Middle East.
In a post Monday on the social media platform X, Graham praised Israel’s military capabilities and its longstanding relationship with the United States before cautioning against actions that could damage Iran’s long-term economic prospects.
“Our allies in Israel have shown amazing capability when it comes to collapsing the murderous regime in Iran. America is most appreciative,” Graham wrote. “However, there will be a day soon that the Iranian people will be in charge of their own fate, not the murderous ayatollah’s regime. In that regard, please be cautious about what targets you select.”
“Our goal is to liberate the Iranian people in a fashion that does not cripple their chance to start a new and better life when this regime collapses,” he continued. “The oil economy of Iran will be essential to that endeavor.”
The comments come after Iran responded to the U.S. and Israeli military campaign known as Operation Epic Fury by launching hundreds of ballistic missiles and drones at targets across the region.
The escalation has also affected global energy markets. Shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz—a strategic waterway connecting the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman—halted after Iran began launching missile and drone attacks in response to the strikes.
Oil prices have surged amid the instability. Following the announcement of Operation Epic Fury by Donald Trump in a video posted on Truth Social on Feb. 28, crude oil prices skyrocketed. According to data reported by Investing.com, West Texas Intermediate futures closed at $90.90 on Friday, more than $20 higher than the previous day’s close before the strikes began. Prices briefly spiked as high as $120 per barrel in overnight trading before settling closer to $100, according to reporting from The Associated Press.
Graham’s comments drew renewed attention to his long-standing support for a more aggressive American foreign policy. The senator has frequently advocated military action in the Middle East and has been outspoken about confronting Iran and groups allied with it.
That reputation has occasionally made him a target of criticism from fellow Republicans. In his book How to Test Negative for Stupid: And Why Washington Never Will, John Kennedy, the Republican senator from Louisiana, joked about Graham’s interventionist reputation, writing: “If you want to stump Lindsey, just ask him to name a country he wouldn’t bomb.”
Similarly, Tim Burchett, a Republican congressman from Tennessee, criticized Graham during a recent interview while discussing the senator’s calls for expanded military action in the region. “Lindsey hasn’t seen a fist fight he hasn’t wanted to turn into a bombing raid, so I just take it with a grain of salt,” Burchett said.
Graham has repeatedly called for forceful responses to purported threats in the Middle East, including advocating strikes against militant groups in Lebanon and previously suggesting that Iranian oil refineries could be targeted if American hostages taken during the October 7 attack were harmed.
Despite those positions, Graham’s latest remarks indicate he believes preserving Iran’s oil industry could be important in a post-conflict scenario should the current government in Tehran lose power.
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