Sen. Lindsey Graham said the United States should do more than offer rhetorical support to demonstrators in Iran, arguing the U.S. must move quickly to stop those he says are responsible for killing civilians.
In a Wednesday post on X, the South Carolina Republican described Iran’s government as a “murderous” regime and called for action beyond statements of solidarity.
“People often ask me what should we do next when it comes to the murderous, religious Nazi regime in Iran,” Graham wrote. “It’s pretty simple. Stand by the protesters demanding an end to their oppression. But it’s going to take more than standing by them. We must stop those who are responsible for killing the people by any means necessary ASAP. Make The Iranian People Safe Again.”
The remarks come as protests in the Islamic Republic have reportedly been met with a deadly crackdown.
President Donald Trump, speaking Wednesday afternoon, said he had received information suggesting the violence had eased.
“We have been informed by very important sources on the other side, and they’ve said the killing has stopped and the executions won’t take place,” Trump said, adding, “we’ve been told on good authority. And I hope it’s true.”
Later Wednesday night, however, Graham said he was not convinced the crackdown had ended.
“Every indication that I’ve seen says that the Iranian regime’s killing of protestors is still very much in full swing,” he wrote. “The death toll is mounting by the hour. Hoping that help is on the way.”
Trump has publicly backed Iranian dissidents and signaled that additional steps could follow. In a Tuesday Truth Social post, he wrote: “Iranian Patriots, KEEP PROTESTING – TAKE OVER YOUR INSTITUTIONS!!! Save the names of the killers and abusers. They will pay a big price. I have cancelled all meetings with Iranian Officials until the senseless killing of protesters STOPS. HELP IS ON ITS WAY. MIGA!!!” — using “MIGA” as shorthand for “Make Iran Great Again.”
Graham, a longtime advocate of pressure and intervention against Tehran, reposted Trump’s message and described what he believes “help” should entail.
“The tipping point of this long journey will be President Trump’s resolve,” Graham wrote. “No boots on the ground, but unleashing holy hell — as he promised — on the regime that has trampled every red line. A massive wave of military, cyber and psychological attacks is the meat and bones of ‘help is on the way.’”
He added that the objective, in his view, should be to dismantle the machinery enabling the violence and target those directing it.
“What am I looking for? Destroy the infrastructure that allows the massacre and slaughter of the Iranian people, and take down the leaders responsible for the killing,” he wrote.
