Republican Senator Lindsey Graham said Wednesday night that he changed his mind on the U.S.-Iran memorandum of understanding after speaking with U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff, calling the deal positive because it opens the Strait of Hormuz. The comment expands on his reversal earlier Wednesday, as reported by Hebrew-language media.
Republican Senator Lindsey Graham (South Carolina) said Wednesday night that he now endorses the U.S.-Iran memorandum of understanding, expanding on a reversal reported earlier in the evening. In a statement carried by Hebrew-language media, Graham said he changed his mind after speaking with U.S. Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff and assessed that 'this agreement on the whole opens the Strait of Hormuz and that's good.'
As The Zioneer reported at 19:21 Jerusalem, Graham had reversed his earlier opposition to the MOU, which had drawn bipartisan criticism. The senator's latest comment provides his stated rationale for the shift — a judgment that the deal secures the strategic waterway rather than merely rewarding Tehran.
The Strait of Hormuz is a critical chokepoint for global oil shipments; Iran has threatened to disrupt traffic there during past confrontations. It remains unclear whether Graham's endorsement reflects a broader shift among Republican lawmakers or remains his individual position. The full text of the MOU has not been published.
5 developments
- ConfirmedIran's Tasnim adds details on US-Iran MOU: last-minute changes, Hormuz opening delayed
- DevelopingSenator Graham: Stop restraining Israel, US should use military force if Iran does not sign deal immediately
- ConfirmedU.S. and Iran reportedly near agreement on nuclear freeze, sanctions relief, and Strait of Hormuz reopening
- StrongIranian source: Strait of Hormuz reopening to begin Friday after MoU signing
Source and signal
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