Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) appeared enthralled by the Trump administration’s unprecedented attack on Iran early Saturday morning, going as far as to preemptively pay tribute to U.S. service members who may “fall” in battle from the ensuing conflict.
“As to the men and women participating in this operation for our country and Israel, may God bless you and keep you safe,” Graham wrote in a statement early Saturday morning shared on social media.
“If you are injured or fall, I believe with all my heart that your sacrifice makes your country and the world a better and safer place. This moment is why you chose to serve.”
Early Saturday morning, President Donald Trump authorized a series of strikes on Iran in an operation dubbed Operation Epic Fury. The focus of the initial strikes, according to The New York Times, was Iran’s military assets, though civilian casualties have also been reported, with at least 40 civilians dead from a U.S. strike on a girls’ school, per the India Times.
In a video message, President Donald Trump said he was hopeful that the operation would result in Iran’s government being toppled, while acknowledging that U.S. casualties were likely. Like Graham, Trump also appeared to preemptively honor American service members who may fall in battle as a result of the operation he authorized.
“The lives of courageous American heroes may be lost, and we may have casualties – that often happens in war – but we’re doing this not for now, we’re doing this for the future, and it is a noble mission,” Trump said early Saturday morning.
Graham, who was mocked last month for appearing “absolutely devastated” after Trump decided against striking Iran, couldn’t contain his excitement at the news that the Trump administration had moved forward with strikes against Iran, calling the operation “necessary and more than justified.”
“My mind is racing with the thought that the murderous ayatollah’s regime in Iran will soon be no more,” Graham wrote in his statement.
“The biggest change in the Middle East in a thousand years is upon us. The likelihood of normalization between Saudi Arabia and Israel getting back on track is exceedingly high – a subject I brought up last week to the key players in the region who concurred if the ayatollah goes down, historic peace advances.”
Graham is among the most hawkish members of Congress, having advocated for U.S. military action against Iran, Iraq, Libya, Mexico, North Korea, Syria and Venezuela, among other nations.
