Republican South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham warned Iran against aiding the terrorist organization Hamas after it recently attacked Israel.
During an interview on NBC’s “Meet the Press,” Graham said that he will introduce a resolution that would “knock Iran out of the oil business” if it continues supporting Hamas.
“I just got off the phone with the Israelis. Their goal is to destroy Hamas in the south and try to save as many innocent Palestinians as possible to prevent escalation north from Hezbollah,” the senator said. “Here’s my message. If Hezbollah, which is a proxy of Iran, launches a massive attack on Israel, I would consider that a threat to the state of Israel, existential in nature.”
“I will introduce a resolution in the United States Senate to allow military action by the United States in conjunction with Israel to knock Iran out of the oil business. Iran, if you escalate this war, we’re coming for you,” he continued.
This comes after the Iran-backed Hamas attacked Israel and invaded towns along the Gaza border earlier this month, killing at least 700 people. As of Wednesday, the death toll has risen to 1,200, according to IDF spokesperson Lt. Col. Jonathan Conricus.
The attack prompted Israel to declare war against the terrorist group with a ruthless aerial campaign that has flattened homes, schools, medical institutions, and government buildings in the Gaza Strip.
White House national security spokesperson John Kirby confirmed last week that Iran has been continuing support for Hamas and Hezbollah, an Islamist militant group based in Lebanon.
“Iran continues to support Hamas and Hezbollah, and we know that Iran is closely monitoring these events and, in some cases, actively facilitating these attacks and spurring on others who may want to exploit the conflict for their own good or for that of Iran,” Kirby said. “We know Iran’s goal is to maintain some level of deniability here, but we’re not going to allow them to do that.”
President Joe Biden has since pledged his support for Israel, with his administration already moving military units to the country as well as supplying them with munitions and interceptors to ensure the Iron Dome defense system has enough supplies.
“We stand with Israel. We stand with Israel. And we will make sure Israel has what it needs to take care of its citizens, defend itself, and respond to this attack,” he said in remarks from the State Dining Room. “There is no justification for terrorism. There is no excuse.”
