Sen. Lindsey Graham mentioned it is “too early to inform” if Iran has given up its nuclear ambitions following U.S. strikes towards key nuclear amenities within the nation, however the Trump ally mentioned he believes it is nonetheless the regime’s “want” to make a nuclear weapon.
On Friday, President Donald Trump appeared to dismiss the potential for Iran to renew its enrichment program, telling reporters, “The very last thing they’re serious about proper now’s enriched uranium.”
Pressed by “This Week” co-anchor Jonathan Karl about these feedback and whether or not Iran has given up its “ambitions to be a nuclear energy,” Graham mentioned, “Too early to inform. I do agree that the three websites have been obliterated.”
However, the South Carolina Republican argued that whereas Iran is “achieved with that enrichment program,” the regime is “not achieved eager to destroy Israel or making an attempt to come back after us.”
Sen. Lindsey Graham speaks with ABC Information whereas showing on This Week, June 29, 2025.
ABC Information
“Operation Midnight Hammer was an incredible navy success. It set this system again, I feel, a pair years,” Graham mentioned. “However the query for the world, does the regime nonetheless want to make a nuclear weapon? The reply is sure. Do they nonetheless want to destroy Israel and are available after us? The reply is sure. Till that modifications, we have got to maintain our — we’re in hassle.”
Trump has prompt there could also be a gathering with the Iranians sooner or later. Graham mentioned he believes Iran should publicly affirm Israel’s sovereignty earlier than any such assembly ought to happen.
“Here is the requirement to take a seat down and discuss: They need to say, for the primary time, the Iranian regime, ‘We acknowledge Israel’s proper to exist. We do not just like the state, we do not like what they do, however we acknowledge Israel has the fitting to exist as a folks,'” Graham mentioned. “If they cannot say that, you are by no means going to get a deal price a rattling. So earlier than you sit down with the Iranians, make them say publicly for the primary time, ‘Israel has a proper to exist,’ and so they cannot say that, that tells you all you might want to learn about who you are coping with.”
Listed here are extra highlights from Graham’s interview:
Graham says Trump informed him “it is time to transfer” on Russia sanctions invoice
Graham: So what does this invoice do? In the event you’re shopping for merchandise from Russia and you are not serving to Ukraine, then there is a 500% tariff in your merchandise coming to the USA. India and China purchase 70% of Putin’s oil. They preserve his battle machine going. My invoice has 84 co-sponsors. It might permit the President to place tariffs on China and India and different international locations, to get them — cease them from supporting Putin’s battle machine, to get him to the desk for the primary time yesterday, the President informed me —
Karl: You have been enjoying golf with him.
Graham: Yeah, I used to be enjoying golf with him. He says, ‘It is time to transfer, transfer your invoice.’ ‘There is a waiver within the invoice, Mr. President, you are in command of whether or not or not it is to be carried out.’ However we will give President Trump a software within the toolbox he does not have at this time. After the July break, we will go a invoice that will permit the president —
Karl: And he will signal it?
Graham: Yeah, I feel we’re in fine condition, however he has a waiver. It is as much as him impose it, however we’re making an attempt to get Putin to the desk.
On the Supreme Courtroom choice on injunctions: “Decide-shopping must cease.”
Graham: So the ruling was, a single decide can’t cease coverage for your complete nation — that is past the mandate of a federal district court docket decide. You continue to have judicial evaluation, nevertheless it has to go up the chain. A single decide cannot cease a program for your complete nation. And that is a superb factor, as a result of folks have been going decide purchasing. The appropriate would go decide —
Karl: I imply, you have been going judge-shopping again within the day.
Graham: All people goes judge-shopping!
Karl: I am sufficiently old to recollect while you have been all in favor of the injunction towards DAPA (Deferred Motion for Dad and mom of Individuals and Lawful Everlasting Residents) underneath Obama.
Graham: Completely! I imply — and I am right here to say, judge-shopping must cease. We have to have a system the place if you are going to enjoin coverage for the nation, it is achieved at a better stage than a single decide for the left or the fitting.
On Trump attacking fellow Republican Sen. Thom Tillis
Karl: The president went on a tirade towards Tillis final evening, mentioned he will meet with major challengers, mentioned that he is grandstanding on all of this. What do you make of that? Is it grandstanding?
Graham: I have been on the receiving finish of that (laughs).
Karl: Sure, you will have.
Graham: He runs laborious, and he can forgive. We’re making an attempt to do laborious issues that must be achieved and need to be achieved. We’re $37 trillion in debt. Medicaid has grown 50% in 5 years. It is about to take over Medicare. What we have achieved [in this bill] is restricted the expansion to six% for 2 years, 4% after that, so Medicaid just isn’t reduce.
