JERUSALEM — U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham issued a stark warning during his visit to Israel, declaring that if diplomatic efforts fail to disarm Hezbollah, military action may be the only option left.

“If we cannot reach a peaceful solution to disarm Hezbollah, then we must move to plan B, which is to disarm Hezbollah by military force,” Graham said, following a stop in Lebanon earlier this week.

His comments come amid rising regional tensions, as clashes along the Israel-Lebanon border continue to intensify. Hezbollah, a powerful Iran-backed militia, has long been viewed by both Israel and the United States as a major security threat.

Graham, a senior Republican senator known for his hawkish foreign policy views, emphasized that while a diplomatic resolution is preferable, the U.S. and its allies must be prepared for a more forceful approach if negotiations fail.

Israeli officials welcomed the senator’s remarks, framing them as a show of American support during a critical period. Meanwhile, regional observers warn that any military confrontation with Hezbollah could spark wider instability across the Middle East.