In South Carolina, Sen. Lindsey Graham says no ground troops needed to end war in Iran

Lucy Valeski, The State on Mar 16, 2026

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COLUMBIA, S.C. — As a central advocate for the recent strikes on Iran, U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham reiterated sending troops to the region isn’t necessary to end the war.

But in Columbia, Graham repeatedly voiced his support for President Donald Trump, who has not publicly committed to keeping U.S. troops out of Iran.

“I’m going to tell South Carolina that I don’t think we need American ground troops. I really don’t, but I’m behind Trump,” Graham said in Columbia on Monday. “They’re going to protest me, the Democrats, on March 21. I don’t care if you bring 200,000 people out in the streets of South Carolina. I’m sticking with Trump. I’m going to give him what he needs to finish his job.”

He was in South Carolina to file for reelection for his U.S. Senate seat. The filing period to appear on June primary ballots opened at noon Monday and closes March 30.

Graham told a crowd of supporters, staff and family he was committed to seeing the war in Iran through. Graham had pushed Trump to strike Iran, Politico reported earlier this month. The U.S. struck Iran Feb. 28 and killed its Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

Graham also said Monday continuing the war would be best for service members already involved. An estimated 200 troops have been injured in the war and 13 have died.

“If you’re worried about the military, you should be,” Graham said. “Give them what they need to win a war they can’t afford to lose. They’re excited about what they’re doing. Morale is high. If you want to honor the fallen, don’t stop. Finish the job.”

Earlier this month, Graham said there would be no American boots on the ground in Iran while speaking on 'Meet the Press." But he also said on Fox News March 9 that other countries needed to be involved in the war as Graham asked South Carolinians to “send their sons and daughters over to the Mideast.” His remarks saw pushback from other Republicans including indirectly from U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace, who is running for governor.

“The double-dealing of the Arab world when it comes to this stuff needs to end,” Graham said March 9. “I go back to South Carolina, I’m asking them to send their sons and daughters over to the Mideast. What I want you to do in the Mideast, to our friends in Saudi Arabia and other places, step forward and say this is my fight, too.”

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