Lindsey Graham issues stark warning to Iran’s Supreme Leader over protest crackdown
WASHINGTON, DC: Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) grabbed attention this week with a direct warning for Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
On live TV, Graham didn’t hold back. He said if Iranian leaders keep using deadly force against protesters, they’ll face serious consequences, a message that reflects growing US frustration over Iran’s domestic crackdown and regional actions.
For good measure, Graham called Trump 'the greatest president of all time.'
Trump would order Ayatollah Ali Khamenei killed, says Lindsey Graham
During an interview that aired on national television, Graham did not mince words when addressing the situation in Iran.
SEN. LINDSEY GRAHAM THREATENS THE AYATOLLAH regarding the ongoing protests: “YOU'RE GONNA WAKE UP DEAD IF YOU KEEP KILLING IRANIANS”
— Adi (@Adi13) January 7, 2026
He said: “Trump is not Barack Obama.
He’s not turning his back on the people of Iran who are demanding that their oppression end.
To the… pic.twitter.com/EL7K47fE2n
In a direct address to Iran’s people, he said, “We support you. Donald J Trump is not Barack Obama. He has your back.”
“And to the Ayatollah, you need to understand, if you keep killing your people who are demanding a better life, Donald J Trump is gonna kill you.” Graham said directly addressing Iran’s leadership and Khamenei.
“Change is coming to Iran. It’ll be the biggest change in the history of the Middle East to get rid of this Nazi regime. To the people of Iran, help is on the way”, he continued.
The comments also included a warning that President Donald Trump would hold Iran’s leaders accountable for brutality against protesters and for destabilizing regional behavior.
Lindsey Graham lauds Trump and praises him in interview
Graham, a foreign policy hawk, appeared on Tuesday’s ‘Hannity’ on Fox News, where he once again praised the president’s action against Venezuela.
By now, the bad guys should believe that when President Trump says something, he means it.
— Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) January 6, 2026
In my view, the ayatollah and his henchmen are at the top of the list of the bad guys. They are religious nazis that terrorize their people. They are indiscriminately killing those who… https://t.co/da0HCbHKN8
And this time, the senator named Trump as the best president the US has ever had.
He said, “If you defy [Trump], if you’re one of the holdovers and you try to undercut him, what happened to Maduro is gonna happen to you.” “Donald J Trump, in my view, is the greatest president of all time,” he praised Trump.
The senator spoke out while huge protests keep shaking Iran.
People there are angry, fed up with political crackdowns, money troubles, and years of frustration with their leaders.
Security forces have hit back hard, and that’s put Iran in the global spotlight. Western governments are criticizing the crackdown and hitting Iran with new sanctions.
Lindsey Graham on Monday posted a picture of himself with President Donald Trump holding a 'Make Iran Great Again' hat.
Another great day with @POTUS who has brought America back, stronger than ever, at home and abroad. God bless our Commander in Chief and all of the brave men and women who serve under him.
— Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) January 5, 2026
I’m proud to be an American.
God bless and protect the brave people of Iran who are… pic.twitter.com/V7Y6XsO680
“Another great day with @POTUS, who has brought America back, stronger than ever, at home and abroad. God bless our Commander in Chief and all of the brave men and women who serve under him,” he wrote on X.
The protests have also inflamed tensions between the US and Iran, with American officials increasingly vocal in their support for demonstrators and condemnation of Tehran’s response.