Listen to the article
Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham has called for the United States to use “any means necessary” to halt the Iranian government’s deadly crackdown on protesters, intensifying pressure on the regime amid growing unrest in the Islamic Republic.
In a statement posted on X Wednesday, Graham described Iran’s leadership as a “murderous, religious Nazi regime” and urged immediate action beyond merely expressing solidarity with demonstrators.
“We must stop those who are responsible for killing the people by any means necessary ASAP. Make The Iranian People Safe Again,” the South Carolina senator declared, adopting language reminiscent of former President Trump’s campaign slogans.
The statement comes amid conflicting reports about the status of the crackdown. President Donald Trump indicated Wednesday afternoon that he had received information suggesting the violence had ceased. “We have been informed by very important sources on the other side, and they’ve said the killing has stopped and the executions won’t take place,” Trump stated, adding that this information came “on good authority.”
However, Graham later contradicted this assessment, stating Wednesday night that “every indication that I’ve seen says that the Iranian regime’s killing of protesters is still very much in full swing. The death toll is mounting by the hour.”
The protests in Iran have drawn increasing international attention as demonstrators face brutal suppression from authorities. Images from Tehran show masked protesters holding signs, including pictures of Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi, suggesting some demonstrators may be advocating for the restoration of the monarchy that was overthrown in the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
President Trump has positioned himself as a vocal supporter of the Iranian opposition movement. On Tuesday, he posted on Truth Social: “Iranian Patriots, KEEP PROTESTING – TAKE OVER YOUR INSTITUTIONS!!! Save the names of the killers and abusers. They will pay a big price.” Trump also claimed he had “cancelled all meetings with Iranian Officials until the senseless killing of protesters STOPS” and promised that “HELP IS ON ITS WAY,” concluding with “MIGA!!!”—an acronym for “Make Iran Great Again.”
Graham, long known as one of the Senate’s most hawkish members on Iran policy, elaborated on what form this assistance might take. He suggested that the “tipping point” would be Trump’s resolve, calling for “unleashing holy hell” on the Iranian regime through “a massive wave of military, cyber and psychological attacks” rather than deploying American ground troops.
“What am I looking for? Destroy the infrastructure that allows the massacre and slaughter of the Iranian people, and take down the leaders responsible for the killing,” Graham explained.
The situation highlights the complex dynamics of U.S.-Iran relations under Trump’s second administration. While Trump withdrew from the Iran nuclear deal during his first term and imposed maximum pressure sanctions on Tehran, his current rhetoric suggests a more interventionist approach in response to the regime’s treatment of protesters.
International human rights organizations have repeatedly documented Iran’s harsh suppression of dissent, with thousands arrested and hundreds killed during previous protest movements, including the 2022 demonstrations following the death of Mahsa Amini in police custody.
The current protests represent one of the most significant challenges to the clerical leadership since the 1979 revolution. Iranian officials have typically blamed foreign interference, particularly from Israel and the United States, for domestic unrest.
As tensions escalate, the international community watches closely to see whether Trump’s promise of assistance will materialize into concrete action and what form it might take in the coming days.
Fact Checker
Verify the accuracy of this article using The Disinformation Commission analysis and real-time sources.
12 Comments
This is a complex and volatile situation. While I sympathize with the protesters in Iran and condemn the regime’s brutality, Lindsey Graham’s rhetoric seems overly aggressive. We should explore all diplomatic and economic options to hold the Iranian government accountable before even considering the use of force.
I share your concerns. Escalating the conflict militarily could lead to disastrous unintended consequences. The US and its allies must focus on leveraging international pressure and support for the Iranian people through non-violent means.
The reports of the Iranian government’s violent crackdown on protesters are deeply troubling. However, Lindsey Graham’s call for ‘any means necessary’ is concerning. We must exhaust all diplomatic avenues and economic pressure before even considering military intervention, which could destabilize the region further.
I agree, a measured and careful approach is critical here. Rushing into military action could backfire and end up harming the very people we’re trying to help. The administration needs to work closely with allies to apply maximum pressure on the Iranian regime through non-violent means.
Lindsey Graham’s call for the US to use ‘any means necessary’ against those killing Iranian protesters is a strong and concerning statement. While the regime’s crackdown is abhorrent, escalation of force could lead to disastrous consequences. We need to carefully weigh our options to support the Iranian people without risking wider conflict.
I agree, the situation is extremely delicate. The US must exhaust diplomatic and economic pressure before even considering military action. The Iranian people deserve our support, but we have to be cautious about how that support is provided.
The reports of violence against protesters in Iran are deeply disturbing. While I understand the impulse to act decisively, Lindsey Graham’s call for ‘any means necessary’ is highly concerning. We must explore all diplomatic and economic options to support the Iranian people and hold the regime accountable before even considering military action, which could have catastrophic regional consequences.
I agree, this is a critical moment that requires a measured, multilateral approach. Rushing into military intervention could backfire and make the situation even worse for the Iranian people. The administration should focus on leveraging international pressure and economic sanctions to compel the regime to end its crackdown.
Lindsey Graham’s call for the US to use ‘any means necessary’ against those killing Iranian protesters is understandable given the regime’s crackdown, but also highly concerning. We must exhaust all diplomatic and economic options to support the Iranian people and hold the government accountable before even considering the use of force, which could have disastrous regional implications.
I agree, the situation is incredibly complex and volatile. While the Iranian regime’s actions are abhorrent, military intervention should be an absolute last resort. The administration needs to work closely with allies to apply maximum pressure through non-violent means and avoid further escalation.
This is a delicate and dangerous situation. While I sympathize with the Iranian protesters and condemn the regime’s brutality, Lindsey Graham’s rhetoric seems reckless. We must explore all diplomatic and economic options to support the Iranian people before even considering the use of force, which could have devastating consequences.
I share your concerns. The administration needs to tread very carefully here. Escalating the conflict militarily could lead to unintended consequences that make the situation even worse for the Iranian people. Diplomacy and economic pressure should be the priority at this stage.