WASHINGTON — Just five days before his death, late Sen. Lindsey Graham defiantly scoffed at images of Iranians parading around with a poster of a bullseye on his head.
Iranians at the extended state funeral of the late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei were seen with signage targeting Trump, conservative commentators Ben Shapiro and Laura Loomer, GOP mega-donor Miriam Adelson, and others with text that translated to “In the end, your heads will be severed.”
“At least they used a good photo of me. Judge me by my enemies,” Graham (R-SC) posted on X in response.
Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, who hasn’t been seen publicly since Operation Epic Fury began in February, vowed Saturday to avenge his father “and all the martyrs of these two wars from the criminal and disgraced.”
Graham, 71, died suddenly Saturday from a “brief and sudden illness.” Emergency dispatch calls suggest he reported chest pain and then a heart attack.
But Graham’s famously hawkish foreign policy stances earned him many enemies around the world.
The late senator had been Trump’s foremost backer in Congress of the war in Iran, repeatedly advocating for the use of military force and casting doubt on the chances peace negotiations would be successful.
Just before his death, Graham was in Ukraine, where he toured a drone facility from the defense company SkyFall and met with the country’s President, Volodymyr Zelensky.
During his meeting with Zelensky, Graham remarked on how the Ukrainian leader had a positive meeting with President Trump in Turkey days earlier at the NATO summit there.
The late South Carolina Republican also announced a deal with President Trump’s team for a sanctions bill on Russia that would pave the way for much tougher penalties on countries that purchase oil from Moscow.
Graham, a staunch Trump ally, had long pushed for a bipartisan sanctions bill against Russia that had been kept in limbo due to the president’s suggesting it was unnecessary.
The late senator had looked vibrant and energetic during his visit to war-torn Ukraine. It was his 10th visit to Ukraine since Russia’s invasion began. He died just a day after returning.
“Senator Graham’s family appreciates prayers at this time and asks for privacy during this incredibly difficult period,” the senator’s office added in a statement.
His death sparked mourning from international leaders across the world.
“Senator Lindsey Graham, one of the greatest people and Senators I have ever known, is dead! He was always working, and was a true American Patriot. Lindsey will be greatly missed!!!” Trump posted on Truth Social. “So sad.”
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