For decades, Graham placed the friendship between the United States and Israel at the heart of his political career. He was not merely another senator who voted in Israel’s favor, but a forceful public defender who repeatedly stood before the cameras and argued Israel’s case without hesitation.

Behind his distinctive Southern accent, sharp humor and animated style stood a highly experienced politician with unusual influence over US foreign policy. Graham became particularly close to President Donald Trump and used that access to advance a strong, pro-Israel approach in the Middle East.

He was also one of the Iranian regime’s fiercest enemies in Washington. Graham consistently demanded crushing sanctions, rejected concessions over Tehran’s nuclear program and warned against trusting the ayatollahs or their terrorist proxies.