Graham: Iranian missile attack on Israel deserves ‘overwhelming response’ from US

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) responded to Iran’s launch of a missile on Israel and said the attack deserves an “overwhelming response” from the United States.

“This missile attack against Israel should be the breaking point and I would urge the Biden Administration to coordinate an overwhelming response with Israel, starting with Iran’s ability to refine oil,” Graham said in a statement Tuesday.

His statement follows the news that Iran launched missiles toward Israel.

Israeli military spokesperson Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari said sirens have been sounded across Israel, and civilians were warned to remain vigilant and follow orders from authorities.

The Israeli military said its air defense systems were fully operational and ready to intercept missiles.

Graham was one of the first U.S. lawmakers to react to the news Tuesday.

In his statement, he called the Iranian regime “religious Nazis” who want to “purify Islam and attack the United States.”

He called on the Biden administration to hit Iran’s oil refineries.

“These oil refiners need to be hit and hit hard because that is the source of cash for the regime to perpetuate their terror,” Graham said. “My prayers are with the people of Israel, and may God continue to bless Israel.”

The attack from Iran came just hours after Israel began raids into southern Lebanon to target the Iranian-backed militant group Hezbollah.

Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), the vice chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee, said in a post on the social platform X he believes Israel will retaliate for these most recent attacks.

“Large scale (not symbolic) missile attack from Iranian regime against Israel. A large scale Israeli retaliatory response inside Iran is certain to follow,” Rubio posted.

Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) said online, “Pray for Israel.”

The missiles follow weeks of escalation between the groups in the Middle East as fears about an all-out regional war intensify.