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“There is no light or gaps between President Trump and Bibi about what to do and how to do it,” Graham said.
By United with Israel Staff
U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham visited Israel on Monday for meetings with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem, using the trip to emphasize what he described as close coordination between Washington and Jerusalem as tensions with Iran continue to grow.
Speaking at a press briefing held at the Kempinski Hotel in Tel Aviv, the South Carolina Republican rejected claims that disagreements exist between President Donald Trump and Netanyahu over how to address the Iranian threat. Graham said his visit was intended in part to reassure Israelis that both governments remain aligned.
“My presence here today is to reassure the Israeli people. There is no light or gaps between President Trump and Bibi about what to do and how to do it,” Graham said.
The senator’s remarks followed Netanyahu’s recent warning that Iran “lies and cheats,” reflecting longstanding Israeli skepticism toward diplomatic engagement with Tehran. Graham argued that Washington’s willingness to pursue negotiations should not be interpreted as a policy divide but rather as part of a broader strategy agreed upon by both allies.
“There are two lines in the water right now,” Graham said, describing parallel diplomatic and military tracks. “One is the diplomatic line, trying to find a way to end this regime diplomatically that would advance our national security interests.”
He added that a military option remains firmly on the table as the United States evaluates its next steps.
“The other line is the military option. I think President Trump is looking to see which line can catch the biggest fish,” he said.
According to Graham, a decision on whether diplomacy can succeed is expected soon, signaling limited patience for prolonged negotiations.
“The bottom line is, we’re into weeks, not months, in terms of decision-making,” he said.
Graham also pointed to Iran’s increasingly fragile position in the region, linking it in part to the fallout from Hamas’ October 7, 2023 attack on Israel, which Israel and many Western officials say was supported by Tehran.
“If this regime falls in the coming weeks or months, two things we’ll attribute to it,” Graham said, citing the impact of October 7 and “the rise of the Iranian people.”
The visit highlighted continued American political backing for Israel as diplomatic efforts with Iran move forward amid heightened military tensions and ongoing instability across the Middle East.
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