Trump ally, US senator Lindsey Graham, dies at 71

Lindsey Graham, a Republican senator representing South Carolina and a close ally of President Donald Trump, has died at the age of 71 after a brief illness

His office announced his passing in a statement released on Saturday, saying the senator died after a “brief and sudden illness,” although no further details on the cause of death were disclosed.

“Senator Graham’s family appreciates prayers at this time and asks for privacy during this incredibly difficult period,” the statement said.

Graham, who was first elected to the US Senate in 2002, was serving his fourth term and had already begun campaigning for re-election. Before joining the Senate, he represented South Carolina in the US House of Representatives from 1995 to 2003.

Although he sought the Republican presidential nomination in 2016 and was initially critical of Donald Trump, Graham later became one of the president’s most trusted allies and advisers, particularly on foreign policy and national security issues.

Over the years, he emerged as a prominent voice on matters involving Iran, Russia and the Middle East, frequently advising Trump and regularly accompanying him during official and private engagements, including golf outings.

Just a day before his death, Graham announced that he had reached an agreement with the Trump administration to advance a new package of sanctions against Russia.

Throughout his political career, the South Carolina senator was widely recognised for his hawkish foreign policy stance. He consistently pushed for stronger measures against Iran, backed efforts to curb Tehran’s nuclear and missile programmes, and supported the Trump administration’s military strike on Iranian nuclear facilities last year.

His death comes at a time of growing public debate over the health and fitness of senior American lawmakers, following recent health-related absences involving several members of the US Congress.

Tributes are expected from political leaders across party lines as the United States mourns one of its longest-serving and most influential Republican senators.