Arab-Israeli peace is Iran's worst nightmare, US senator says in Jerusalem

US senators visiting Israel this week advocated for a forceful stance toward Iran, and a senior lawmaker among them said Arab-Israeli reconciliation was Tehran's worst nightmare and a key motivation behind recent regional turmoil.

"October 7 was meant to stop normalization," Senator Lindsey Graham said, referring to a 2023 attack by Iran-backed Hamas militants on Israel which triggered a 15-month war.

"Iran's worst nightmare was Arabs and Israelis' reconciliation and solving the Palestinian problem in perpetuity."

The South Carolina Republican said that just before the attacks, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman was enthusiastic about an imminent breakthrough in normalization efforts.

Graham added the United States would soon have to choose between military action and negotiations, with his preference being to "help Israel deliver a decisive blow against Iran nuclear infrastructure."

On Trump's mooted desire for a deal with Iran over its disputed nuclear program, Graham suggested a "Libyan model" involving setting clear goals and timelines, and if talks fail, providing Israel with the capabilities to strike Iran's nuclear program.

Libya agreed to shutter a weapons program criticized by Western powers but veteran leader Muammar Qadaffi was still overthrown and killed in a US and European-backed rebel uprising in 2011.

Iran should 'pay hell'

Senator Richard Blumenthal referred to Iran's regional setbacks, saying Israel had broken what he called Iran's axis through successes against Hezbollah and Hamas, along with the fall of President Bashar al-Assad in Syria.

Referring to the Israeli hostages held by Hamas, the Connecticut Democrat said, "Iran ought to be the one to pay hell because, ultimately, they are responsible … They are the head of the snake.”

Senator Joni Ernst warned, "Iran, listen very clearly. We will put maximum pressure on you and work with our Israeli partners to make sure you do not succeed economically, militarily or politically in this region.

"There is no daylight between Israel and the USA,” the Iowa Republican added.

The Wall Street Journal and The Washington Post reported last week citing US intelligence assessments from last month that Israel saw an opening for an attack on Iranian nuclear sites as early as the first of this year.

Earlier this month, US President Donald Trump signed a directive restoring the so-called maximum pressure policy of his first term and warned of "catastrophic" consequences if Tehran does not make a deal on its nuclear program.

On Monday, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Washington's maximum pressure campaign and mooting of military force will not force Iran to negotiate about its nuclear program.