Senator Lindsey Graham Defines 'Victory' in Iran War as Restoring Pre-Conflict Status Quo

In a Fox News interview on Monday night, South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham presented what he described as the United States' best-case scenario for the ongoing war in Iran: a return to the pre-war status quo.

Graham claimed that the U.S. could achieve "victory" in the Middle East conflict by regaining freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz and ensuring relative peace for Iran’s neighbors—a state of affairs that existed before former President Donald Trump initiated military action against Iran.

"We’re close to victory," Graham stated. "Victory for me would mean regaining freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, degrading a little bit further—short, big, strong response—their military capability a bit further, threaten Kharg Island with destruction and pull out and try to get Israel and Saudi Arabia back to peace."

He emphasized the strategic importance of the Strait of Hormuz, calling it "the only thing left" in the conflict. Graham also echoed White House talking points, asserting that the campaign had been "a brilliant move by President Trump and our military."

"If we can take back control of the Straits of Hormuz, it is check mate," Graham added. "This thing is over."

Graham went further, suggesting that the ultimate goal should be a broader regional peace agreement. He proposed that "the ultimate victory is that Saudi Arabia and Israel make peace, ending the Arab-Israeli conflict," while praising Trump’s leadership. Graham claimed that Trump would "go down in history as the greatest peacemaker."

The U.S. involvement in the war reportedly began following a February 11 meeting in the White House Situation Room, where Trump, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and other U.S. and Israeli officials discussed military strategy. According to reports, Netanyahu’s influence and pressure campaign were pivotal in pushing the U.S. to enter the conflict. However, U.S. military commanders had previously advised Trump that key components of Netanyahu’s plan to attack Iran were "farcical."

Despite this, Trump was reportedly inspired to pursue regime change in Tehran. The State Department later supported this narrative in an official statement, asserting that the U.S. was engaged in the conflict at the request of Israel and in the exercise of its own right to self-defense.

However, the White House denied this narrative, repeatedly insisting that Israel had no role in Trump’s decision to involve the U.S. in another unpopular Middle East war.

Costs and Consequences of the War

The war in Iran has now lasted more than nine weeks, with the U.S. spending at least $25 billion—though some estimates suggest the total exceeds $70 billion. The conflict has strained strategic alliances, disrupted global trade, and triggered an energy crisis due to the blockade on the Strait of Hormuz. The war’s objectives remain unclear, as neither the U.S. nor Israel has succeeded in damaging Iran’s nuclear capabilities despite killing thousands of Iranian civilians and destroying civilian infrastructure. To date, 13 U.S. soldiers have died in the conflict.

The war has also driven up the global cost of living and heightened international tensions, particularly between the U.S. and its long-standing allies.