12.07.2026 09:40
U.S. South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham has died at the age of 71 after a brief sudden illness. Graham, one of Donald Trump's closest political allies, was a prominent figure in the Republican Party on defense and foreign policy. An advocate for tough policies against Iran, Graham supported military operations in Israel and stated that the U.S. should also become involved in the war.
Republican Lindsey Graham, who represented the U.S. state of South Carolina in the Senate, died at the age of 71 due to a sudden illness.
In a statement from Graham's office, it was stated: "U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham passed away on Saturday evening, July 11, due to a brief sudden illness. Senator Graham's family thanks you for your prayers during this time and requests privacy during this extremely difficult period."
REPORTEDLY, HEALTH TEAMS WERE DISPATCHED TO HIS HOME
According to initial reports, a "cardiac arrest" call was made from Graham's home on Capitol Hill on Saturday night, and health teams were dispatched to the area. A person was seen being taken out of the house on a stretcher and carried to an ambulance.
HE WAS AMONG TRUMP'S CLOSE ALLIES
Graham had been serving as a South Carolina Senator since 2003. Serving as Chairman of the Senate Budget Committee, Graham was known as one of the most influential figures of the Republican Party on defense and foreign policy issues. Considered among President Donald Trump's close political allies in Congress, Graham was preparing to run for re-election for a fifth term in November.
HE WAS ONE OF THE HARSHEST AGAINST IRAN
Lindsey Graham was among the leading figures in the U.S. Senate advocating for the toughest policies toward Iran. A close ally of Donald Trump, Graham strongly supported Israel's military operations against Iran and argued that the U.S. should also become involved in the war. In later statements, Graham expressed that he made intense efforts to persuade the Trump administration to take military action against Iran. In the U.S. press, Graham was also regarded as one of the influential political figures in the onset of the Iran war.
WHO IS LINDSEY GRAHAM?
Lindsey Olin Graham was born on July 9, 1955, in the U.S. state of South Carolina. After completing his legal education, he served as a Judge Advocate General (JAG) officer in the U.S. Air Force for many years. Starting his political career in the House of Representatives, Graham represented South Carolina in the U.S. Senate from 2003 onward. Emerging as one of the most influential figures of the Republican Party on foreign policy, defense, and national security issues, Graham served as Chairman of the Senate Budget Committee. As one of President Donald Trump's closest allies in Congress, Graham was known for his tough stance especially toward Iran, China, and Russia. Frequently making headlines with his strong support for Israel and statements on U.S. global military policies, Graham was considered among the "hawkish" politicians who advocated for foreign intervention.