South Carolina Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham said he wants Congress to review and vote on any diplomatic agreement that ends the war against "the Iranian terrorist regime."
In multiple posts on X, Graham said that while he prefers a diplomatic resolution, any deal with Iran must face congressional scrutiny to ensure it meets U.S. national security goals.
"Like everyone, I hope we can end the reign of terror of the Iranian regime through diplomacy," Graham wrote Tuesday night, adding that any proposed agreement should be submitted to Congress "for a vote, like we did with the [former President Barack] Obama JCPOA [Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action]."
The comments come as the United States and Iran enter a two-week ceasefire aimed at negotiating a broader agreement following weeks of military conflict.
President Donald Trump has described the truce as a major step toward stability, with key provisions expected to include reopening the Strait of Hormuz and addressing Iran's nuclear program.
Graham, however, signaled caution about early reports of a potential deal, warning against misinformation and calling for transparency.
"At this early stage, I am extremely cautious regarding what is fact vs. fiction or misrepresentation," he wrote in a separate post, arguing that a formal review process with "a healthy dose of sunlight" is essential.
Central to Graham's position is a hard-line stance on Iran's nuclear capabilities.
He reiterated that all highly enriched uranium currently in Iran — estimated at about 900 pounds — must be removed and placed under U.S. control.
"As President @realDonaldTrump said this morning, all the highly enriched uranium must be removed from Iran and handed over to the United States – the Libyan Model," Graham wrote Wednesday, emphasizing that allowing Iran to continue enrichment "would be inconsistent with denying Iran a pathway toward a bomb."
He also rejected arguments that Iran should be allowed limited enrichment as a face-saving measure, criticizing the regime's human rights record and history of violence.
"The last thing I'm interested in is for Iran to be able to save face," Graham said. "I'm interested in a deal that will stop their maniacal drive to a nuclear weapon."
Graham's call for congressional involvement represents a notable emphasis on oversight, even as he has previously supported strong executive authority in military matters.
He also warned that Iran must not be rewarded for prior aggression, including its actions in the Strait of Hormuz, which disrupted global shipping and energy markets.
Charlie McCarthy ✉
Charlie McCarthy, a writer/editor at Newsmax, has nearly 40 years of experience covering news, sports, and politics.
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