‘We did Iwo Jima, we can do this!': Lindsey Graham calls on Trump to seize Kharg island

Lindsey Graham suggested that controlling Kharg Island is the only way to defang the Iranian regime
Lindsey Graham is doubling down on his stance on Kharg Island, telling Trump to take the Island (Screengrab/Fox News/YouTube)
Lindsey Graham is doubling down on his stance on Kharg Island, telling Trump to take the Island (Screengrab/Fox News/YouTube)


WASHINGTON, DC: Senator Lindsey Graham during an interview on ‘Fox News’ on Sunday, March 22, shared the advice he is giving the President is, “Take Kharg Island, where they have all of the resources they have to produce oil.” 

By declaring, “We did Iwo Jima, we can do this,” Graham argued that seizing this hub is the only way to "defang" the regime and stop them from funding global terrorism.

Graham calls for seizure of Kharg island

Senator Lindsey Graham explained on Fox News that the US needs to do more and it must take full control of Kharg Island to break the Iranian regime. 

Since the island handles about 90 percent of Iran’s oil exports, Graham believes occupying it would cause the regime to "die on a vine."

“I don’t know if you take the island or you blockade the island, but I know this: The day we control that island, this regime, this t***orist regime, has been weakened,” Graham said.

This push follows President Trump's recent announcement that the US has already destroyed “every military target” on the island. 

While Trump claimed on ‘Truth Social’ that he has “chosen NOT to wipe out the Oil Infrastructure” for the sake of decency, he warned that he would “immediately reconsider” if the Strait of Hormuz remains blocked. 

With the Strait currently shut down due to strikes, Trump has threatened to target Iran’s power plants next if they do not allow ships to pass freely.

President Donald Trump speaks during a shamrock presentation event with Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin in the East Room of the White House, on St. Patrick's Day, Tuesday, March 17, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
President Donald Trump speaks during a shamrock presentation event with Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin in the East Room of the White House, on St Patrick's Day, Tuesday, March 17, 2026, in Washington (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Graham trusts US marines over The Atlantic's warnings

During the interview, Shannon Bream questioned the plan by citing a writer from ‘The Atlantic’ who warned that such a move would lead to a “grinding war of attrition.” 

Graham dismissed these concerns, calling the critics "arm chair quarterbacks" and stating, “I’m sort of tired of all this arm chair quarterbacking. This has been an amazing military operation. God bless the fallen.”

Graham insisted that the US is ready for this mission, noting that there are “two marine expeditionary area units sailing to this island.” 

He made it clear that he trusts the military's strength more than the warnings. 

“I trust the Marines, not that guy,” Graham said of The Atlantic writer. “I trust DOD. We’ve got two marine expeditionary area units sailing to this island. We did Iwo Jima, we can do this. The Marines, my money’s always on the Marines.”

Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C. speaks as Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, testifies during a Senate Judiciary Committee oversight hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, March 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)
Senator Lindsey Graham, speaks as Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, testifies during a Senate Judiciary Committee oversight hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, March 3, 2026 (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

Graham talks about defanging Iran to regional peace

Graham believes that "defanging" Iran is the only way to reach a lasting peace deal between Saudi Arabia and Israel. 

“As soon as we get Iran defanged so they can never do another October 7th, I want to start up peace talks between Saudi and Israel,” Graham said. 

He added, “This year, I want a peace deal between Saudi and Israeli normalizing ending the Arab-Israeli conflict — been going on for 2,000 years this year — and you can’t do it with a lethal Iran.”

Graham stated, “I want to take up and complete what Joe Biden started,” referring to the effort to bring the two nations together.

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