SOUTH CAROLINA — U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham, a Republican from South Carolina, posted on the social media platform X on March 8, 2024, about Israel striking 30 Iranian fuel depots and separately advocated on Fox News for U.S. marines to seize Kharg Island, Iran's main oil export hub located about 20 miles off the country's coast.

During the Fox News appearance, Graham compared the proposed operation to a World War II engagement. "We did Iwo Jima, we can do this," Graham said. The Battle of Iwo Jima lasted 36 days and was fought on a heavily fortified Japanese island. Nearly 7,000 U.S. marines and sailors died in the battle, approximately 20,000 were wounded, and more than 18,000 Japanese soldiers were killed.

Graham also urged caution about targeting in his X post, saying, "Please be cautious about what targets you select."

Graham, a retired U.S. Air Force Reserve colonel who specialized as a military lawyer, served in the U.S. House of Representatives in the 1990s, where he supported attempts to isolate Iran and curb its missile and nuclear programs. He was elected to the U.S. Senate in 2002 and later opposed the nuclear agreement negotiated under President Barack Obama. In 2015, he urged preemptive action against Iran.

His remarks drew criticism from within his own state delegation. U.S. Representative Nancy Mace said, "Lindsey Graham needs to be removed from the Situation Room. I don't want to hear one word from a guy with no kids, desperately sending our sons and daughters into war on the ground in Iran."

Former national security adviser John Bolton said, "He is an important voice. If our objective is to overthrow the regime then I think Lindsey's probably urging Trump in that direction."

Graham's calls came as Iran had blockaded the Strait of Hormuz. According to a poll, nine in 10 MAGA-aligned Republicans support the war in Iran.