Senator Lindsey Graham urged the U.S. and Israel to arm Iranian civilians as a so-called "Second Amendment solution," arguing that supplying weapons to internal opponents could topple Tehran without U.S. ground troops. He said such a move would pressure the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and cited economic measures and control of the Strait of Hormuz as additional levers. The suggestion is controversial and raises significant legal and security concerns.
Graham Proposes 'Second Amendment Solution' — Urges U.S. and Israel To Arm Iranian Civilians
Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., talks with reporters in the U.S. Capitol during votes on Tuesday, March 10, 2026.(Getty Images)
Senator Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) on Monday urged the United States and Israel to supply weapons to Iranian civilians as part of what he described as a "Second Amendment solution" to weaken Tehran without deploying U.S. ground forces.
What He Said
Speaking with Sean Hannity, Graham said arming internal opponents could shift the balance of power inside Iran. "I love the idea of a Second Amendment solution for the Iranian people," he told the host. "If I were President Trump and I were Israel, I would load the Iranian people up with weapons so they could go to the streets armed and turn the tide of battle inside Iran."
"We don't need American boots on the ground. We've got millions of boots on the ground in Iran. They just don't have any weapons. Give them the weapons so they can rise up like we did to destroy this regime." — Sen. Lindsey Graham
Context And Parallels
Graham framed his proposal with a historical analogy, saying many authoritarian regimes disarm their population to maintain control. "The first thing the king does is takes the guns away from his subjects," he said, adding that a religious theocracy similarly restricts arms to prevent challenges to its rule.
His remarks echo other critics of the Iranian government — including exiled figures such as Reza Pahlavi — and public calls from some U.S. lawmakers like Senator Ted Cruz who have advocated providing support to Iranian protesters amid regional tensions.
Protesters burn images of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei during a rally in solidarity with Iran's uprising on Whitehall in central London on Jan. 11, 2026, organized by the National Council of Resistance of Iran to protest the regime's internet crackdown and affirm the right to self-defense against regime forces.
Practical Challenges And Risks
Host Sean Hannity noted earlier attempts to funnel weapons to Iranian opposition groups were sometimes undermined when weapons were intercepted or stolen before reaching their intended recipients. Graham's response was emphatic: "Do it again." He argued arming dissidents would make life difficult for Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC): "I love the idea of empowering the Iranian people with weapons... to make the Revolutionary Guard's life hell."
Graham also advocated applying economic pressure on Tehran and exerting control over strategic waterways, saying, "If we can control the straits… it is checkmate," referring to the Strait of Hormuz.
Reactions And Implications
The proposal is highly controversial. Arming civilians in another country raises significant legal, ethical, and security questions, including the risk of escalation, civilian harm, and broader regional instability. The comment is part of a broader debate inside U.S. policy circles about how to respond to Iran amid tensions in the Middle East.
Reporting: Fox News Digital. Arabella Bennett contributed to this report.
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