Lindsey Graham Says US Will Inflict “Severe Pain” in Iran

“If they’re itching for a fight, they’re gonna get one.”

Bill Clark/Zuma

Get your news from a source that’s not owned and controlled by oligarchs. Sign up for the free Mother Jones Daily.

Following an Iranian attack on a US drone Thursday, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) declared that the Trump administration would inflict “severe pain” on the Middle Eastern nation.

“Here’s what Iran needs to get ready for: severe pain inside their country,” Graham said. “If they’re itching for a fight, they’re gonna get one.”

Tensions have been rising for months, with Iran threatening to violate the terms of a landmark nuclear deal that Trump walked away from last year, and the US administration threatening to prevent Iranian oil exports. Last week, the US blamed Iran for bombing two oil tankers in the Gulf of Oman. After the US drone was shot down Thursday, Trump took to Twitter, saying that “Iran made a very big mistake!” It’s not entirely clear what the president meant by that; he later reportedly said that he believes some individual in Iran “made a mistake” and noted that the drone was unmanned.

Trump also said the public will “soon find out” whether he will strike Iran.

Graham, however, has been less guarded in his statements.

“Their capabilities pale in comparison to ours,” he said. “We’re not going to let them disrupt navigation of the seas, attack our allies and US interests without paying a price.”

PLEASE—BEFORE YOU CLICK AWAY!

“Lying.” “Disgusting.” “Scum.” “Slime.” “Corrupt.” “Enemy of the people.” Donald Trump has always made clear what he thinks of journalists. And it’s plain now that his administration intends to do everything it can to stop journalists from reporting things it doesn’t like—which is most things that are true.

We’ll say it loud and clear: At Mother Jones, no one gets to tell us what to publish or not publish, because no one owns our fiercely independent newsroom. But that also means we need to directly raise the resources it takes to keep our journalism alive. There’s only one way for that to happen, and it’s readers like you stepping up. Please do your part and help us reach our $150,000 membership goal by May 31.

payment methods

PLEASE—BEFORE YOU CLICK AWAY!

“Lying.” “Disgusting.” “Scum.” “Slime.” “Corrupt.” “Enemy of the people.” Donald Trump has always made clear what he thinks of journalists. And it’s plain now that his administration intends to do everything it can to stop journalists from reporting things it doesn’t like—which is most things that are true.

We’ll say it loud and clear: At Mother Jones, no one gets to tell us what to publish or not publish, because no one owns our fiercely independent newsroom. But that also means we need to directly raise the resources it takes to keep our journalism alive. There’s only one way for that to happen, and it’s readers like you stepping up. Please do your part and help us reach our $150,000 membership goal by May 31.

payment methods

We Recommend

Latest

Sign up for our free newsletter

Subscribe to the Mother Jones Daily to have our top stories delivered directly to your inbox.

Get our award-winning magazine

Save big on a full year of investigations, ideas, and insights.

Subscribe

Support our journalism

Help Mother Jones' reporters dig deep with a tax-deductible donation.

Donate