U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham stated he spent four hours with President Trump, who has a new policy: if Hezbollah attacks Israel, the United States will respond in Iran. The remarks, reported by analyst Yair Goldblatt, mark an escalation in the public deterrence posture against Tehran.
Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) said on Sunday evening that President Donald Trump has formulated a new policy linking Hezbollah attacks on Israel to a U.S. military response inside Iran. According to Graham, who reported spending four hours with Trump, the policy is that if Hezbollah attacks Israel, the United States will respond in Iran.
The statement, carried by analyst Yair Goldblatt, represents the most explicit deterrence commitment to Israel from the Trump administration regarding the Lebanon front. It comes amid a series of Trump-related statements on the Hezbollah-Iran axis. As The Zioneer reported earlier Sunday, Trump directly threatened Iran — saying Tehran must stop Hezbollah "immediately" or face stronger U.S. strikes. Hours later, Trump warned of "very hard" strikes if Hezbollah continues to cause trouble, while also expressing frustration that Israel hasn't dealt effectively with the group.
Graham's latest remarks appear to clarify the scope of U.S. deterrence: Iran, not just Hezbollah in Lebanon, would be the target of retaliation. The claim is based on a single report and has not yet been confirmed by an official White House or administration statement.
Graham has been an increasingly vocal ally of Israeli security posture on the northern front. Earlier this week, he thanked the IDF for eliminating a Hezbollah operative holding the "Golan file" and previously questioned U.S. restraint as Hezbollah attacks forced evacuations in northern Israel.
3 developments
- DevelopingSenator Graham questions US restraint as Hezbollah attacks force evacuations in northern Israel
- DevelopingTrump reportedly sides with Iran on demand that Israel stop attacking Hezbollah
- DevelopingSenator Graham thanks Israel for Hezbollah strike amid Trump-Netanyahu tension
- DevelopingTrump threatens 'very hard' strikes on Iran if Hezbollah continues to cause trouble
Source and signal
- Internal intake