Lindsey Graham slams Europe over Strait of Hormuz reluctance Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) criticized European allies on Tuesday for their reluctance to deploy military assets to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, warning that their inaction could have severe consequences for U.S.-European alliances. In a social media post, Graham claimed he had spoken with President Donald Trump about the issue, describing the president’s frustration as unprecedented. Trump has been pushing for an international coalition to work with the U.S. to secure the critical oil shipping lane, which Iran closed shortly after the start of the U.S.-Israeli conflict in the region. The blockade has triggered a global energy crisis and spiked oil prices. Graham accused European nations of failing to address Iran’s nuclear ambitions, calling their approach a “miserable failure.” He questioned the future of transatlantic alliances, stating that the repercussions of limited support for the Strait of Hormuz could be “wide and deep” for both Europe and the U.S. “I consider myself very forward-leaning on supporting alliances,” he wrote, “but at a time of real testing like this, it makes me second guess the value of these alliances.” Trump, meanwhile, has publicly criticized NATO allies for avoiding involvement in the conflict. In a Truth Social post, he accused the alliance of making a “very foolish mistake” by refusing to join the U.S. military operation against Iran. He argued that the U.S. no longer needs NATO’s assistance, despite the alliance’s traditional role in collective defense. Germany’s defense minister, Boris Pistorius, recently stated that the country does not want to engage in the conflict, emphasizing that the war was not initiated by Germany. The dispute highlights tensions between the U.S.#iran #nato #strait_of_hormuz #president_donald_trump #lindsey_graham
Trump slams Mojtaba Khamenei’s appointment as Iran projects defiance Donald Trump expressed frustration over the selection of Mojtaba Khamenei as Iran’s new supreme leader, calling the decision a mistake and warning that the younger Khamenei may not last in power. The U.S. president had previously criticized the choice, arguing that Iran’s leadership should align with Washington’s demands, and now he reiterated his dissatisfaction with the outcome. The appointment of Mojtaba Khamenei, the son of the late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, followed a vote by Iran’s Assembly of Experts. The move was seen as a defiant act against the United States, which had pressured Iran to replace Ali Khamenei with a leader more willing to negotiate. Trump accused Iran of making a “big mistake” and suggested the new leader might face a similar fate as his father, who was killed in a U.S.-Israeli attack in February. Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, a Trump ally, echoed the president’s concerns, stating that Mojtaba Khamenei was “not the change” the U.S. sought. Graham claimed the new leader would eventually meet the same end as his father, whom he labeled “one of the most evil men on the planet.” Pro-Israel commentator Mark Levin, who had previously called for the assassination of Ali Khamenei, shifted his focus to Mojtaba, urging supporters to “get the boy Khamenei.” The conflict between the U.S., Israel, and Iran escalated dramatically in February, with a joint attack on Iran killing Ali Khamenei and several top officials. Iran retaliated with missile and drone strikes against Israel and U.S. military targets in the Middle East, disrupting oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz. The war has also drawn Hezbollah into the conflict, sparking a broader regional crisis.#donald_trump #mojtaba_khamenei #ali_khamenei #lindsey_graham #mark_levin
