Report: Netanyahu Stopped Lindsey Graham From Urging Trump to Expand War Against Hezbollah

New documentary footage reviewed by The Wall Street Journal claims Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu persuaded the late Sen. Lindsey Graham not to push President Donald Trump to expand military operations against Hezbollah, arguing Israel's immediate priority was confronting Iran.

Previously unseen documentary footage reviewed by The Wall Street Journal sheds new light on high-level discussions during the joint U.S.-Israeli campaign against Iran earlier this year. The footage reportedly shows the late Sen. Lindsey Graham discussing his efforts to encourage stronger American military involvement alongside Israel.

Netanyahu Prioritized Iran

According to the report, Graham planned to meet President Donald Trump in Florida to advocate for U.S. participation in Israel's campaign against Hezbollah in Lebanon. However, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly urged him not to pursue the effort during a March 4 phone call.

"We're concentrating right now on Iran," Netanyahu reportedly told Graham. He also warned that openly escalating against Hezbollah could trigger a broader conflict that was not in Israel's interest at the time.

Graham Praised Trump's Iran Decision

The documentary also captures Graham telling aides that President Trump was enthusiastic following the first joint U.S.-Israeli strikes against Iran. Graham said Trump viewed the operation as one of the most significant decisions of his presidency and expressed frustration that more administration officials were not publicly defending the military campaign.

Questions Over Diplomacy

According to the footage, Graham also voiced concerns about relying on certain White House advisers for Middle East diplomacy, reportedly suggesting Secretary of State Marco Rubio should lead those efforts instead.

Saudi Arabia and Regional Strategy

The report says Graham believed the fall of Iran's regime could open the door to normalization between Israel and Saudi Arabia. Netanyahu reportedly responded that defeating the Iranian threat remained the immediate priority before pursuing broader regional initiatives.

Final Months

Weeks before his death in July, Graham reportedly expressed concern that momentum against Iran was fading and said he intended to speak directly with President Trump. Graham, one of Israel's strongest supporters in Congress for decades, died unexpectedly at age 71 from heart failure.

Prime Minister Netanyahu is expected to travel to Washington this week to attend Graham's memorial service and meet with President Trump.