Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) voiced cautious optimism Sunday that a diplomatic agreement could halt Iran’s nuclear ambitions, while warning that Hezbollah remains committed to its longstanding goal of destroying Israel regardless of any deal reached with Tehran.

In a statement posted on social media, Graham said he hopes ongoing negotiations can successfully eliminate Iran’s ability to develop nuclear weapons and end what he described as the regime’s campaign of regional terror.

“While I hope and pray that a diplomatic solution to end the Iranian conflict and deny Iran the ability to produce a nuclear weapon and stop their reign of terror on the region may be at hand, we still must understand who we are dealing with,” Graham wrote in a post on social media.

Graham pointed to Hezbollah’s continued attacks against Israel, noting that the terrorist group has maintained pressure along the northern border despite recent ceasefire efforts.

“Since the latest ceasefire, Hezbollah has been unrelenting in their attacks against Israel to the point there are areas in northern Israel that have been evacuated because of the constant attacks. What would America do in a similar situation?” he continued.

The South Carolina senator emphasized Hezbollah’s close ties to Tehran, arguing that any agreement with Iran should not obscure the ongoing threat posed by the Lebanese terrorist organization.

“Hezbollah is financed and controlled by Iran, with a lot of American blood on its hands. It is clear to me that no matter what deal we sign with Iran, Hezbollah’s stated ambitions of destroying Israel and making Lebanon a caliphate have not fundamentally changed,” added Graham.

He concluded, “May God protect the United States and may God protect the State of Israel.”

Graham’s remarks were issued before President Donald Trump formally announced a new agreement with Iran, which is expected to be officially signed on Friday.

Earlier in the day, Trump criticized Israel’s retaliatory strike against a Hezbollah command center in Beirut, suggesting that further military action could jeopardize ongoing diplomatic efforts with Iran.

“This morning’s attack on Beirut should not have happened, particularly on a special day when we are so close to a Peace Deal with Iran,” Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social.

The president acknowledged Israel’s right to self-defense but argued that the Hezbollah attack that triggered the response did not warrant a broader escalation.

He added that “Israel has the right to defend itself against threats, but the attack it was responding to was very small and meaningless, nobody was hurt, injured, or killed, and should not disrupt this important process.”

Trump also suggested that Lebanon would be included in the broader regional framework being negotiated with Iran.

“We are very close to a deal that will bring peace to the region, including to Lebanon, and all sides should stand down.”

Calling for restraint from all parties, Trump urged an end to hostilities on both sides of the border.

“There should be no more attacks by Israel anywhere in Lebanon, but there should also be no more attacks by any other party, including Hezbollah, against Israel. This could be the beginning of a long and beautiful peace – Let’s not blow it!” he urged.

The comments followed an Israeli strike targeting a Hezbollah command facility in Beirut’s Dahieh district. The operation came after three drones launched from Lebanon entered Israeli airspace earlier in the day. Two of the unmanned aircraft exploded near Shlomi in the western Galilee, while the third detonated inside a military area in Israel.

{Matzav.com}