President Donald Trump on Tuesday downplayed concerns from Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) about the new preliminary agreement with Iran, suggesting the Republican lawmaker's skepticism could land him in hot water. Speaking at the G7 summit in France, Trump told reporters, "I'll have to talk to Lindsey. He'll be in big trouble," before adding, "Lindsey's good. Lindsey's fine. He's not skeptical."
The exchange came after Graham voiced unease about the U.S.-Iran framework deal announced Sunday, which aims to end hostilities and reopen the Strait of Hormuz. While the senator praised Trump for securing the waterway's reopening, he expressed worry about the state of nuclear negotiations. "I am somewhat concerned that Iran's view of the agreement seems different than what the American negotiating team is claiming," Graham wrote on social media.
Trump and Vice President Vance signed the memorandum of understanding with Iran on Monday, though the full text remains undisclosed. The signing paves the way for technical talks on a final deal. Trump assured reporters the agreement "covers something very nicely," adding, "We're not paying for anything. We're not doing anything. The markets now are higher than they were when we started."
Graham later softened his tone in a Tuesday social media post, commending Trump's performance at the summit. "I sincerely hope the upcoming negotiations to forever foreclose Iran's nuclear ambitions are a success," he wrote. The senator credited Trump with weakening Iran and its proxies, stating, "Due to President Trump's actions, it is clear to me Iran and its proxies are incredibly weakened and their ability to generate another October 7 doesn't exist, and there has been a major setback in their nuclear capability."
The South Carolina Republican also lauded Trump's commitment to expanding the Abraham Accords, calling it an "ultimate win for taking on Iran." He added, "If the conflict with Iran yields this outcome, it will be one of the most successful military operations in American history. Mr. President, you are right to keep your eye on the big prize: regional integration and lasting peace."
The back-and-forth underscores lingering GOP divisions over Trump's Iran strategy, even as the president pushes forward with negotiations. Critics, including some Democrats, have demanded more transparency, with Trump previously floating the idea of sending the deal to Congress and mocking Democratic opposition. Meanwhile, the administration continues to manage competing pressures from allies like Israel, which has struck Hezbollah targets in Lebanon amid the talks.
As technical negotiations progress, the White House faces scrutiny over the deal's specifics and long-term implications for regional stability and U.S. national security.
