Graham defends Trump's Iran stance as 'Churchill moment,' urges more strikes

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) on Sunday defended President Trump's remarks that he does not think about Americans' financial situation regarding the Iran war, calling it Trump's "Churchill moment" during an appearance on NBC's "Meet the Press." Graham urged Trump to launch additional strikes on Iran and suggested targeting Kharg Island if Iran continues to "terrorize the region."

"That's his Churchill moment. When Churchill came into power, he promised 'blood, sweat, toil, heartache, until we deal with the Nazis, who are an existential threat to the British way of life.' And if Hitler had taken charge of the planet, it would have been the darkest hour in humanity," Graham said on the Sunday program. Trump said last week he does not "think about" Americans' financial situation as it relates to the war, emphasizing his focus on preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.

"I believe Iran wants the nuclear weapon. They would use it. So does President Trump. And they would use it for their religious agenda. They would destroy the Jewish state. They would eventually hold us hostage," Graham told host Kristen Welker. "Do I worry about gas prices? Yes. But President Trump's right. The biggest threat to the hostility in the world is a nuke-armed Iran. And whatever price we have to pay, we will pay. What did Churchill say? Whatever price we have to pay to beat Hitler, we will pay. Same with Iran."

Graham encouraged Trump to "look at reducing Iran's military capability even further," adding: "They've been dramatically weakened, but there's still targets that could weaken them more militarily." He also said: "I would also keep the embargo on to weaken their economy. And I'd let the Iranians know, 'If you keep terrorizing the region, Kharg Island, which is your source of revenue, will be in play.' I think that would be the smart next play."