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 fascinated by proper now could be 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 amazing army success. It set this system again, I believe, 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 steered there could also be a gathering with the Iranians at some point. Graham mentioned he believes Iran should publicly affirm Israel’s sovereignty earlier than any such assembly ought to happen.
“This is the requirement to take a seat down and discuss: They should 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 best to exist as a individuals,'” Graham mentioned. “If they can not say that, you are by no means going to get a deal value 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 it is advisable to learn about who you are coping with.”
Listed below are extra highlights from Graham’s interview:
Graham says Trump advised him “it is time to transfer” on Russia sanctions invoice
Graham: So what does this invoice do? For those who’re shopping for merchandise from Russia and you are not serving to Ukraine, then there is a 500% tariff in your merchandise coming to america. India and China purchase 70% of Putin’s oil. They hold his warfare machine going. My invoice has 84 co-sponsors. It might enable the President to place tariffs on China and India and different international locations, to get them — cease them from supporting Putin’s warfare machine, to get him to the desk for the primary time yesterday, the President advised 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’ll give President Trump a instrument within the toolbox he would not have at present. After the July break, we’ll move a invoice that may enable the president —
Karl: And he will signal it?
Graham: Yeah, I believe 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 Court docket resolution on injunctions: “Decide-shopping must cease.”
Graham: So the ruling was, a single decide can’t cease coverage for your entire nation — that is past the mandate of a federal district courtroom decide. You continue to have judicial evaluation, however it has to go up the chain. A single decide cannot cease a program for your entire nation. And that is a great factor, as a result of individuals have been going decide purchasing. The correct 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) beneath 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 the next degree than a single decide for the left or the best.
On Trump attacking fellow Republican Sen. Thom Tillis
Karl: The president went on a tirade towards Tillis final night time, 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’ve gotten.
Graham: He runs onerous, and he can forgive. We’re making an attempt to do onerous issues that must be achieved and should 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 proscribed the expansion to six% for 2 years, 4% after that, so Medicaid will not be minimize.
