Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., on Sunday called on President Donald Trump to renew U.S. military strikes on Iran, arguing that a stalled ceasefire and a closed Strait of Hormuz are strengthening Tehran while inflicting economic pain at home.
“I think the status quo is hurting us all,” Graham told NBC News’ “Meet the Press,” framing continued military pressure, not negotiation, as the faster route to ending the war.
Graham’s appeal landed at a stalemate.
U.S.-Iran talks, mediated by Pakistan, have been suspended since both sides rejected each other’s latest proposals, and no permanent peace deal has been reached since the two countries announced a ceasefire last month.
Graham said the impasse only benefits Tehran.
“The longer the [Strait of Hormuz] is closed, the more we try to pursue a deal that never happens, the stronger Iran gets,” he said.
The senator, a leading proponent of Trump’s military campaign, urged the president to “weaken them further.”
He credited the administration’s strikes as “amazing, militarily.” But, he said, “there’s more targets to be had.”
Graham added that nothing in the conflict so far suggests Iran’s leadership has abandoned what he called the regime’s goal “to terrorize the world, destroy Israel, come after us.”
The closed strait, which before the war carried more than a fifth of the world’s energy supply, has driven oil prices rising higher since the conflict began on Feb. 28.
As of Friday, the average U.S. price of unleaded gas was above $4.50 a gallon, up 51% since the war started.
Graham argued that pressure would ease with force, telling moderator Kristen Welker, “Gas prices will come down when you put Iran in a box.”
Tehran has signaled little appetite for compromise.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Friday that Iran has “no trust” in the U.S. and would negotiate only if Washington is serious, citing “contradictory messages” from American officials.
The diplomatic freeze coincided with Trump’s return from a multiday summit in China, where he met President Xi Jinping.
Trump told Fox News’ Bret Baier he had not asked Beijing for help on Iran. “If he wants to help, that’s great, but we don’t need help,” Trump said, adding that accepting help invites obligations in return.
The dispute carries domestic political stakes.
Hellbound and Down 
Lindsey Graham, R-S.C is just another John McCain. He’s a little war monger.
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