Newsletters
Iranian state television celebrated the death of U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham during a live broadcast, with an anchor congratulating the Iranian people and describing the late Republican lawmaker as having "gone to hell."
The remarks aired shortly after Graham's office announced that the South Carolina senator had died Saturday evening at the age of 71 following a brief and sudden illness.
During a broadcast on Iran's state-run Khabar News Network, the presenter celebrated Graham's death and hailed what she described as Iran's "victory in the war against the United States" before returning to the channel's regular programming.
"I congratulate the great Iranian nation on Lindsey Graham having gone to hell. The bootlicker has met his fate. I congratulate the great Iranian nation on its victory in the war against the United States."
One of Washington's most outspoken Iran hawks, Graham repeatedly backed military action against Tehran, supported tougher sanctions and endorsed recent U.S. strikes on Iranian targets.
Representing South Carolina in the Senate since 2003 after four terms in the House of Representatives, Graham spent more than three decades in Congress and became one of the Republican Party's most influential voices on national security.
A retired U.S. Air Force Reserve colonel and military lawyer, he consistently argued that military force should remain an option to counter Iran's nuclear and missile programs.
Although he fiercely opposed Trump's 2016 presidential bid, the two later forged a close political alliance. Graham went on to play a central role in advancing the administration's agenda on judicial appointments, defense and foreign affairs while serving in senior positions on several Senate committees.
Set as preferred source
Set as preferred source
1 min read
1 min read
