Senator Lindsay Graham, a notable hawk on foreign policy, has called for the bombing of Iranian oil refineries in retaliation for the country’s alleged involvement in this weekend’s Hamas attack on Israel.
Speaking to the media on Monday, Graham said that the United States should “destroy Iran’s oil infrastructure” if there is another attack by groups affiliated with Iran.
He went on to say that “now is the time for us to consider working with our friends in Israel to hit Iran’s oil economy,” as quoted by the Washington Examiner.
If there is an escalation of this war, I’m urging the Biden administration and the Israelis to work together on a plan to destroy Iran’s oil infrastructure,” the senator said.
“Without oil, they have no money. Without money, terrorism loses its greatest benefactor. Everyone talks about Iran being responsible. Talk is cheap. Now is the time to make them pay a price.”
In fact, the Israel Defense Forces have said there is no evidence that Iran was involved in this weekend’s Hamas attacks, which prompted Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to declare war on the group.
And while the Wall Street Journal reported that the attacks were planned with Iranian involvement, citing unnamed sources, the U.S. State Department has so far avoided pointing the finger at Iran.
“If this war escalates and you continue to try to destroy the Jewish state, you’re going to be out of the oil business. They have fixed targets that are easy to hit,” Graham also said.
Iran, while reiterating its support for Palestine, has denied involvement in the attack.
“Iran stands unwaveringly in solidarity with Palestine; however, it is important to note that Iran is not involved in Palestine’s response, as these actions are solely determined by the Palestinians themselves,” the country’s mission to the UN said in a statement on Monday.