US Senator Lindsey Graham, a close ally of President Donald Trump, has passed away following a brief illness. He was 71.

A member of the Republican Party, Graham was first elected to the U.S. Senate in 2002 and was re-elected in 2008, 2014 and 2020.

During President Trump’s second term, Graham emerged as a key voice on US foreign policy. He was a strong supporter of the 2003 US invasion of Iraq and had long pushed for military action against Iran and strongly opposed the Iran nuclear deal negotiated under former President Barack Obama.