In a critical warning, Senator Lindsey Graham flagged a potential accelerated push by Iran to develop nuclear weapons before the U.S. presidential election, attributing the risk to a "colossal failure" by President Biden and Vice President Harris.
Fox News reported that Senator Graham appeared on CBS' "Face the Nation" this Sunday, articulating serious concerns over Iran’s nuclear ambitions.
Citing a recent report from the Director of National Intelligence, Graham described the findings on Iran's progress in nuclear weapons development as "stunning" and a significant threat that could escalate in the months leading up to the U.S. presidential elections.
During his interview, Graham highlighted a startling scenario where Iran might swiftly advance their nuclear arsenal. "What I worry the most about is a sprint to a nuclear weapon," he stated. His worries are compounded by the current geopolitical tensions involving Iran and its regional activities.
Graham pointed to the alarming acceleration of Iran's nuclear program. Earlier this month, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken shared that Iran could produce fissile material for a nuclear weapon within "one or two weeks," a situation exacerbated by the disintegration of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), also known as the Iran nuclear deal.
The senator harshly criticized the current U.S. administration for its handling of Iran. According to Graham, the Biden-Harris administration's approach has not only failed to curb Iran's nuclear ambitions but has also emboldened Iran's leadership, adversely impacting regional allies like Israel.
"Biden, Harris have been a colossal failure in terms of controlling the ayatollah," Graham remarked, stressing the dire need for a stronger U.S. stance against Iran.
Recent violent incidents underscore the tense situation. A rocket attack, executed by the Iran-backed group Hezbollah from Lebanon, recently struck a soccer field in the Golan Heights, resulting in the tragic loss of 12 young lives.
This incident, the deadliest on civilians in the region since October 7, has been firmly attributed to Hezbollah by Blinken.
Graham emphasized that these actions by Iranian proxies like Hezbollah and Hamas illustrate a broader strategy by Iran to exert influence and instigate instability. He advocated for a firm response from the international community, particularly the United States.
"So until the Iranians believe they're going to get hit, that we start putting their oil refineries on a target list, you're going to get more of this when it comes to Iran," he explained.
The senator called for Iran to be held accountable for its actions and those of its proxies, suggesting that severe repercussions would be necessary to deter further aggression.
He poignantly noted the strategic timing of such provocations, suggesting Iran might leverage the pre-electoral period in the U.S. to advance its nuclear capabilities unchecked.
"I am very worried that not only you could open up a second front [in Israel's war], but they could use these three or four months before we elected to sprint to a nuclear weapon, and we have to put them on notice. That cannot happen," Graham asserted, highlighting the urgency of the situation and the need for decisive action.
In conclusion, Senator Graham’s warnings on CBS' "Face the Nation" underline a critical juncture in the Iranian nuclear crisis.
Pointing to an intelligence report, he asserts that the failure of the Biden administration has exacerbated the threat.
The potential acceleration of Iran's nuclear weapons development, coupled with increased provocations from its proxies, lays the groundwork for a precarious few months ahead as the U.S. approaches its presidential election. International tensions are at a high, with significant implications for global security and stability.