Members of the Iranian diaspora in London held a candlelight vigil on Sunday for U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham, who died earlier that day at age 71. The group gathered outside the U.S. Embassy near the Thames River.
<![CDATA[IMAGE1]]>Attendees lit candles around a makeshift altar that included pictures of Senator Graham and the Iranian "Lion and Sun" flag, a symbol of resistance to the current Iranian regime. The crowd chanted, "Lindsey Graham, rest in peace," and "Rest in peace and rise in power."
Senator Graham, a Republican from South Carolina, was known for his hawkish stance against the Islamic Republic of Iran. He died from a suspected aortic dissection at his home in Washington on Saturday evening.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu recalled Graham's strong advocacy for action against Iran's nuclear program. "He was very clear about that," Netanyahu said in an interview, recounting Graham's urging that Iran's nuclear weapons program needed to be disrupted before it became an unmanageable threat. Netanyahu described Graham as having clarity, courage, and convictions rooted in American values.
Graham had previously met with Reza Pahlavi, the exiled crown prince of Iran, and expressed support for a democratic Iranian state. Supporters noted his consistent stance on Iran even before the issue gained broader international attention. A message shared on social media stated that Graham was a "steadfast friend" to the Iranian people and that his support for a free and democratic Iran would not be forgotten.