US senator rejects prospect of Iran deal, urges tougher stance

US Senator Lindsey Graham pushed back against suggestions that Iran’s leadership could change course and be engaged diplomatically.

“Anyone who believes that the ayatollah is remotely interested in changing his ways does not understand the history of the ayatollah and the murderous regime,” Graham posted on X. “You cannot do a deal with evil. You have to confront it. In this case, that means standing behind the people of Iran.”

“I was unnerved by statements being made by people involved in the Iran file suggesting that if the ayatollah could change his ways, we might be able to reach an agreement with the regime,” he added.

Graham comments came after US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff told Bloomberg in Davos that Washington believes the standoff with Tehran could be “diplomatically settled” if Iran signals a willingness to change, without elaborating.