Lindsey Graham Issues Stark Warning to Saudi Arabia Over Iran Conflict
Republican Senator Lindsey Graham has publicly threatened Saudi Arabia with "consequences" if the kingdom refuses to participate in US-led military operations against Iran. In a social media post on Monday, Graham questioned whether the United States should honour a defence agreement long sought by Riyadh, arguing that Saudi Arabia's lack of military involvement makes the partnership hard to justify as American lives are lost in a war he helped instigate.
Evacuations and Escalating Tensions
Graham noted that the American embassy in Riyadh is being evacuated due to sustained Iranian attacks on Saudi soil. He expressed frustration that Saudi Arabia has declined to join the fight militarily, despite what he described as a shared interest in defeating Iran. "Americans are dying and the US is spending billions to dislodge the terrorist Iranian regime," Graham wrote. "Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia seems to be issuing statements and doing things in the background that are marginally helpful."
He extended pressure to other Gulf Cooperation Council countries, urging them to get more involved since "this fight is in their backyard." The post concluded with a veiled threat: "If not, consequences will follow."
Background of US-Saudi Relations
Riyadh has been pursuing a formal US security guarantee, modelled on Washington's treaty with Japan, which would commit the United States to defend the kingdom against external attacks. In May 2025, the Trump administration described a $142 billion arms package with Saudi Arabia as the largest defence cooperation agreement in US history, and in November, it granted the kingdom major non-NATO ally status. However, a broader, binding mutual defence pact remains unsigned.
Earlier on Monday, the Saudi foreign ministry responded to Iranian strikes, condemning them as unjustifiable and stating that Riyadh retains "its full right to take all necessary measures to safeguard its security, sovereignty, and the safety of its citizens." The statement made no mention of joining US military operations, and the embassy did not return requests for comment.
Graham's Influence and the War's Origins
Graham's threat carries significant weight due to his geopolitical influence over the Trump administration, which initiated this conflict. According to reports, Graham spent months pressing Donald Trump to authorise strikes on Iran, first raising the idea during a golf game shortly after the 2024 election. He made repeated trips to Israel, communicated with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to signal likely US strikes, and advised Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on engaging with the president.
In an interview, Graham revealed that Israeli officials sometimes shared information with him that "our own government won't tell me." He also collaborated with retired General Jack Keane and columnist Marc Thiessen, who wrote opinion pieces and appeared on television to attract Trump's attention—some of which Trump later shared on his social media platform.
Operation Epic Fury and Casualties
On 28 February, the United States launched airstrikes against Iran in Operation Epic Fury, alongside simultaneous Israeli operations, killing Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and dozens of other senior officials. Iran responded with waves of missiles and drones targeting US military bases and allies across the region, resulting in seven American military personnel killed and eight wounded so far.
Preliminary casualty figures indicate approximately 1,255 killed in Iran, mostly civilians, according to the health minister. Additionally, at least 397 have been killed in Lebanon, 11 in Israel, and several across Gulf states, including four in the United Arab Emirates, as reported by officials.
The US State Department confirmed on Monday that over 36,000 Americans have returned to the US from the Middle East since 28 February, with the government completing more than two dozen charter flights.
