Graham: Iran faces 'massive military attack' by Tuesday deadline
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- Lindsey Graham told Fox News Monday that by 'this time tomorrow night' the U.S. will see either Iranian capitulation or 'a massive military attack, destroying the regime's capability to ever wage war again,' framing Trump's deadline as a 'defining moment.'
- Graham specified the non-negotiable U.S. terms: Iran must hand over its 60% enriched uranium stockpile — enough, he said, for 'eight or 10' nuclear bombs — and permanently forfeit control of the Strait of Hormuz, which carries roughly 20% of global oil supply daily.
- Trump posted on Truth Social Tuesday that 'a whole civilization will die tonight, never to be brought back again,' warning he would strike bridges and power plants if Iran does not lift its blockade, though some senators have argued such strikes on civilian infrastructure could violate international law.
- Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian posted on X that 'more than 14 million proud Iranians have so far registered to sacrifice their lives,' and Iranian officials called on civilians to form human chains around power plants to shield them from incoming strikes.
- Graham cited 'Operation Epic Fury' by name as the ongoing campaign, one in which the South Carolina Republican is among the most vocal congressional supporters.
- The Senate on Tuesday failed to advance a war-powers measure directing Trump to end the Iran conflict, though four GOP senators defected on the vote — a check on executive war-making that ran in parallel to Graham's escalation rhetoric.
Why it matters: The 8 p.m. EDT Tuesday deadline puts roughly 20% of global oil flows and Iran's nuclear-weapons-grade uranium stockpile on a collision course with a named U.S. military campaign, while the Senate's failure to advance a war-powers resolution — despite four Republican defections — leaves Trump with an open military hand heading into the deadline.
