Netanyahu Stops Senator Graham From Urging Trump to Attack Hezbollah in Lebanon

In early March, Senator Lindsey Graham planned to travel to Florida to persuade President Donald Trump to support an Israeli strike against Hezbollah in Lebanon. However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convinced him to abandon the idea during a phone call on March 4. Netanyahu warned that involving the U.S. in an operation amid the ongoing conflict with Iran was too extreme and premature, emphasizing that Israel's current focus was on Iran rather than Hezbollah. Graham agreed with Netanyahu's advice from his Senate office.

This exchange was captured in previously unreleased footage from a documentary about Graham, filmed before his death in 2023 by director Abel Holder. The documentary provides insight into Graham's long campaign to topple the Iranian regime and his efforts to convince Trump to take military action, often pushing for more aggressive measures than Netanyahu supported. After U.S. strikes on Iran began in February, Graham expressed emotional satisfaction, recalling the persistent effort behind the campaign.

The footage also reveals Graham's meetings with global leaders, including Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and conversations with military commanders and political figures. Graham discussed plans for Israel to normalize relations with Saudi Arabia after Iran's fall, a goal Netanyahu encouraged him to delay until focusing on Iran was complete. The documentary also shows Graham's interactions with U.S. officials, including National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, and his frustrations with internal opposition to war with Iran.

Graham's final interviews, conducted shortly before his death, show a man determined to complete his vision of reshaping Middle East geopolitics, including brokering peace between Russia and Ukraine and fostering Israel-Saudi ties. Despite appearing fatigued, he remained resolute, stating, "There is no way I am dying now." Critics have noted Graham's shifting stance on Trump, from harsh critic in 2016 to staunch supporter after 2020. The documentary, tentatively titled "The Lindsey Game," is expected to be released months after Graham's death.