A newly released documentary on the final years of the late Sen. Lindsey Graham reveals that the veteran lawmaker once planned to persuade President Donald Trump to launch direct U.S. military action against Hezbollah in Lebanon—but changed course after a private conversation with Prime Minister Binyomin Netanyahu, who argued that such a move would be strategically unwise.

The behind-the-scenes account, first reported by The Wall Street Journal, offers a rare look into the high-level diplomatic and security discussions that took place between Washington and Jerusalem during the regional conflict with Iran. The film chronicles Graham’s intensive efforts to strengthen international pressure on the Iranian regime and shape U.S. policy in the Middle East.

According to the documentary, Graham initially intended to fly to President Trump’s Florida residence early in the conflict with Iran to urge him to commit American military forces to attacks against the Hezbollah terrorist organization in Lebanon. Before making the trip, however, Graham held a lengthy conversation with Netanyahu.

During that discussion, Netanyahu reportedly urged Graham not to pursue the proposal, explaining that opening a direct American front against Lebanon at that stage of the conflict would be a strategic mistake. The prime minister stressed that Israel’s overriding objective was to focus on Iran itself, which he described as the source of the regional threat. While he acknowledged that threats of broader military action could help deter Hezbollah, Netanyahu reportedly warned that actually launching such an operation could push the terrorist group to escalate the conflict “all the way.”

According to the report, Graham accepted Netanyahu’s assessment and told the Israeli leader that his advice was sound. The senator, widely regarded as one of Israel’s strongest allies in Congress, subsequently abandoned his original plan to lobby Trump for direct military involvement in Lebanon.

The documentary, directed by Alex Holder, who closely followed Graham beginning in 2023, includes extensive footage of confidential discussions, meetings with world leaders, and behind-the-scenes diplomatic efforts. It also captures Graham expressing excitement over American strikes against Iran while reflecting on both his close relationship with President Trump and the frustrations he occasionally experienced in working with him.

In one segment, Graham voices disappointment that Trump was not taking a tougher approach toward Iran and was instead exploring preliminary agreements, which Graham believed posed significant risks. Beyond the Iranian issue, the film also documents Graham’s extensive regional diplomacy, including trips to meet with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in an effort to build support for confronting Iran.

The documentary further reveals that Graham told Netanyahu he had assembled bipartisan backing in Congress for a future normalization agreement between Israel and Saudi Arabia following the collapse of the Iranian regime. Netanyahu, however, reportedly reiterated that any such regional breakthrough depended first and foremost on defeating the regime in Tehran.

According to the filmmaker, Graham appeared increasingly exhausted during the final weeks of his life after months of relentless diplomatic activity. When asked how he managed such a demanding schedule, Graham joked that he simply had no time to sleep because he still needed to help bring down the Iranian regime, broker peace between Russia and Ukraine, and secure a historic normalization agreement between Israel and Saudi Arabia. Smiling, he added, “There is no way I can die yet.”

The documentary, which is expected to be released in the coming months, provides an unprecedented look at the work of one of Washington’s most influential foreign policy voices and the decision-making process behind some of the most consequential international developments of recent years.

Sen. Graham died approximately two weeks ago at the age of 71 after suffering an aortic rupture. Prime Minister Netanyahu is expected to attend the senator’s memorial service later this month.