Lindsey Graham Urges Wider U.S. Strikes on Iran as Hormuz Closure Lifts Gas Prices 51%
Updated
Updated · NBC News · May 17
Lindsey Graham Urges Wider U.S. Strikes on Iran as Hormuz Closure Lifts Gas Prices 51%
6 articles · Updated · NBC News · May 17
Lindsey Graham said Sunday the U.S. should hit more targets in Iran, arguing current military action has been effective but insufficient to force Tehran to yield.
The South Carolina Republican tied that push to the still-closed Strait of Hormuz and stalled U.S.-Iran talks, saying the longer the status quo lasts, the stronger Iran gets.
U.S. unleaded gasoline prices have risen 51% since Washington first struck Iran more than two months ago, with Graham insisting prices would fall once Iran is "put in a box."
Iran's foreign minister said Friday Tehran has "no trust" in U.S. negotiators, while Trump said after meeting Xi Jinping in China that Beijing wants the war to end but U.S. help is not needed.
The remarks also reinforced Trump's stance that stopping Iran from getting a nuclear weapon outweighs any political damage to Republicans ahead of the midterm elections.
Will Iran's threat to subsea cables ignite a new global conflict over control of the internet's physical infrastructure?
Will sustained military pressure cause Iran's regime to collapse, or will it instead ignite a much wider, uncontrollable regional war?
Beyond oil, what are the cascading global effects if civilian infrastructure like desalination plants are systematically destroyed?
Strait of Hormuz Shutdown 2026: Energy Markets in Turmoil and the Risks of Wider War
Overview
In early March 2026, Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz in response to prior U.S.-Israeli military strikes, sharply escalating the regional crisis. This move disrupted normal shipping traffic and triggered global concern over energy security and maritime safety. The closure led to immediate calls for both de-escalation and further military action, as the world faced surging oil prices and threats to vital energy infrastructure. The situation exposed vulnerabilities in global supply chains and intensified political pressures, highlighting the risks of strategic miscalculation and the urgent need for diplomatic solutions to prevent further escalation.