Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina. AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein
Lindsey Graham expressed disapproval of President Biden’s approach to dissuade Iran-affiliated factions in the Middle East. Graham told Fox News that the US is failing to deter Iran if that’s the goal. The US airstrikes resulted in nearly 40 casualties, according to Reuters.
Senator Lindsey Graham scrutinized the Biden administration’s timing in launching retaliatory strikes following a drone attack in January that killed three US service members in Jordan. During an interview on “Fox News Sunday,” the South Carolina Republican argued that the US provided Syria and Iraq “a week’s notice” and dismissed the idea that hitting numerous targets would make a difference.
Graham conveyed, “The only Iranian we killed in Syria or Iraq is some foolish person who didn’t move out of the way.” He criticized the administration’s approach as failing to deter Iran or safeguard American troops.
According to Reuters, the US airstrikes resulted in nearly 40 casualties. Graham also stated during the interview that Iran was “not afraid of us,” asserting a difference compared to the previous administration. He cited the US withdrawal from Afghanistan, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and the Israel-Hamas conflict as evidence of a deteriorating US national security.
Following the initial drone attack, several Republicans including Mississippi Sen. Roger Wicker and House Speaker Mike Johnson of Louisiana criticized the Biden administration’s response. Wicker highlighted the administration’s actions of telegraphing US intentions, allowing adversaries to relocate and hide, while Johnson emphasized that the response should have been more explicit and forceful.
In a statement after the strikes, President Biden affirmed that the military response “will continue at times and places of our choosing.” He reiterated that the US does not seek conflict but emphasized that any harm to American citizens will be met with a response.
The deaths of the three service members last month marked the first US military fatalities related to the Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza, which commenced in October.
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