Senator Lindsey Graham passed away unexpectedly on Saturday following his final weeks devoted to establishing fresh foundations for what many regarded as an ambitious effort to normalise relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel. Axios reports that Graham was one of Washington's most influential and energetic foreign policy figures and notes that in a conversation just before his death, he informed President Donald Trump that he 'can't die now,' as he still had unfinished business.
Final Phone Call with Trump
Graham contacted Trump by telephone on Saturday evening, updating him on his recent visit to Ukraine. Axios reveals they discussed a Russia sanctions bill that Graham wished the Senate to vote upon. Trump allegedly informed Graham he was preparing to initiate additional strikes against Iran following another assault on commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, reports the Mirror US.
Someone who conversed with Graham shortly afterwards revealed the senator expressed feeling poorly. When urged to seek medical care, Graham stated he would do so on Sunday morning following a scheduled appearance on NBC's Meet the Press. Graham then declared, 'I can't die now. I still need to do the Russia sanctions, get Iran sorted out, and do Israeli-Saudi normalization.' He would die several hours later.
Push for Saudi-Israel Normalization
Graham viewed Saudi-Israel normalisation as a pivotal achievement of a post-war settlement in the Middle East. He envisioned that it could endure beyond any military operations and fundamentally transform the region. He had laboured on the matter for years, stretching back to the Biden administration, and believed that the possibilities arising from Iran's weakening could provide President Trump with an opportunity to secure a landmark accord.
Graham served as a crucial figure outside the administration whom Trump consulted regarding foreign policy and national security, particularly concerning the Iran war, Axios reports. Graham also revealed that he had engaged with Ron Dermer, the Saudi Ambassador to Washington, Princess Reema bint Bandar, and Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan, seeking to facilitate an agreement.
Vision for Post-War Middle East
Axios further notes that Graham disclosed his intention to coordinate with Trump and his team to make clear to Benjamin Netanyahu and other leaders that Washington anticipated the incoming government to progress towards an Israeli pledge for a future Palestinian state. During a conference call in June, Trump informed leaders of several Arab and Muslim nations that he wanted them to establish relations with Israel if an agreement could be reached to conclude the war with Iran.
