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Sen. Lindsey Graham says it's not the job of the U.S. to determine Iran's next leader

Graham backed the strikes while arguing that Iran’s future leadership is not for the United States to choose.

Sen. Lindsey Graham says it's not the job of the U.S. to determine Iran's next leader
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This article1 analysis · Oct 10, 2026
NBC News
Mar 1, 2026
tl;dr

Members of Congress offered sharply different assessments of the U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran. Sen. Lindsey Graham backed the operation while saying the U.S. should not choose Iran’s next leader or send ground troops; Democrats questioned the strategy and discussed seeking a war powers vote.

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Lindsey Graham Former U.S. Senator (R-SC)
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Lindsey Graham
Former U.S. Senator (R-SC)

Senator who defended the strikes and said the United States should not choose Iran’s next leader or send ground troops

PRIMARY SUBJECT
Mark R. Warner
D · VA · SEN

Senator who questioned the administration’s claim of an imminent threat from Iran

Donald Trump
R · President of the United States

President whose administration carried out the strikes and whose strategy lawmakers discussed

Chuck Schumer
D · NY · SEN

Senate minority leader who called for a war powers vote

Tom Cotton
R · AR · SEN

Senator who defended the strikes as a response to a growing threat from Iran

Mark Kelly
D · AZ · SEN

Senator who agreed that the world was safer with Khamenei dead but questioned the administration’s strategy

Ro Khanna
D · CA-17

Representative who said Americans were not safer after Khamenei’s death and supported a war powers vote

ALSO MENTIONED  Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s supreme leader, reported killed in the strikes

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Lindsey Graham Discusses U.S. Role in Iran’s Future

Graham backed the U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran and said the United States should not choose or guarantee Iran’s future government. Left-leaning outlets criticize Graham’s support and rhetoric, stressing the potential costs and his defense of Trump amid reports of casualties. Center outlets focus on the tension between backing the strikes and disclaiming responsibility for Iran’s future, emphasizing uncertainty about plans and goals.

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