Senator Lindsey Graham said Wednesday evening that he now supports signing the Memorandum of Understanding with Iran, reversing his earlier skepticism. Graham told Channel 12 that economic stability from opening the Strait of Hormuz and ending hostilities could create a path to peace far beyond the Iranian conflict, after a conversation with U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff.
Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) fully reversed his stance on Wednesday evening, voicing support for the U.S.-Iran Memorandum of Understanding after a phone call with U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff. Graham told Channel 12 that 'the economic stability from opening the straits and ending the fighting can create a path to peace far beyond the Iranian conflict,' according to the draft. The reversal comes about half an hour after The Zioneer published Graham's earlier openness to the MOU at 19:21 Jerusalem on Tuesday — a position in which he said a verifiable nuclear deal remained uncertain but that there was 'little downside' in trying.
Earlier in the thread, Graham had taken a significantly harder line. Our background record, published Thu Jun 11 at 11:20 Jerusalem, reports that Graham called for the United States to stop restraining Israel and to use military force if Iran did not immediately sign a deal. On Tuesday Jun 16 at 19:21 Jerusalem, he expressed optimism that negotiations could succeed, calling a potential deal 'one of the most successful U.S. military actions in history.' By Wednesday, his position had shifted from skeptical hawk to supportive, following outreach from Witkoff. The progression shows a notable softening over roughly 72 hours, from maximum-pressure advocacy to open endorsement of the emerging framework.
As The Zioneer has reported, the MOU aims to open the Strait of Hormuz and de-escalate hostilities with Iran. Vice President JD Vance said Tuesday he is confident Israel will join the memorandum, and Hezbollah's deputy political council head Mahmoud Qamati described the agreement as potentially opening a 'large door' for regional solutions. Israeli analysts have warned the deal may prioritize maritime stability over Israeli security concerns, including the rebuilding of Hezbollah.
The full text of the MOU has not been published, and no Israeli official has formally confirmed the country's inclusion in the framework. Graham's reversal — while significant — represents a single senator's position; broader U.S. congressional and Israeli government reactions remain incomplete.
5 developments
- DevelopingE4 powers welcome US-Iran MOU, urge swift Strait of Hormuz reopening
- ConfirmedU.S. and Iran reportedly near agreement on nuclear freeze, sanctions relief, and Strait of Hormuz reopening
- DevelopingSenator Graham: Stop restraining Israel, US should use military force if Iran does not sign deal immediately
- StrongIranian source: Strait of Hormuz reopening to begin Friday after MoU signing
Source and signal
- Internal intake