Sen. Lindsey Graham mentioned it is “too early to inform” if Iran has given up its nuclear ambitions following U.S. strikes in opposition to key nuclear services within the nation, however the Trump ally mentioned he believes it is nonetheless the regime’s “need” 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 enthusiastic about 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 had been obliterated.”
However, the South Carolina Republican argued that whereas Iran is “executed with that enrichment program,” the regime is “not executed eager to destroy Israel or attempting 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 navy success. It set this system again, I feel, a pair years,” Graham mentioned. “However the query for the world, does the regime nonetheless need to make a nuclear weapon? The reply is sure. Do they nonetheless need to destroy Israel and are available after us? The reply is sure. Till that adjustments, we have to maintain our — we’re in bother.”
Trump has instructed 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.
“This is the requirement to take a seat down and discuss: They must 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 cannot 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 you’ll want to learn about who you are coping with.”
Listed here are extra highlights from Graham’s interview:
Graham says Trump instructed 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 maintain his struggle machine going. My invoice has 84 co-sponsors. It might permit the President to place tariffs on China and India and different nations, to get them — cease them from supporting Putin’s struggle machine, to get him to the desk for the primary time yesterday, the President instructed me —
Karl: You had been taking part in golf with him.
Graham: Yeah, I used to be taking part in 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 applied.’ However we’ll give President Trump a software within the toolbox he would not have right now. After the July break, we’ll move a invoice that may 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 tips on how to impose it, however we’re attempting to get Putin to the desk.
On the Supreme Courtroom determination 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 overview, however 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 individuals had been going decide procuring. The correct would go decide —
Karl: I imply, you had been going judge-shopping again within the day.
Graham: All people goes judge-shopping!
Karl: I am sufficiently old to recollect if you had been all in favor of the injunction in opposition to DAPA (Deferred Motion for Dad and mom of People and Lawful Everlasting Residents) below 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 executed 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 in opposition to Tillis final night time, mentioned he will meet with main 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 got.
Graham: He runs laborious, and he can forgive. We’re attempting to do laborious issues that must be executed and must be executed. We’re $37 trillion in debt. Medicaid has grown 50% in 5 years. It is about to take over Medicare. What we have executed [in this bill] is restricted the expansion to six% for 2 years, 4% after that, so Medicaid just isn’t lower.
