US senator and Trump ally 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.

In a statement posted on social media on Saturday, Graham’s office said he died following a “brief and sudden illness” but did not disclose the cause of death.

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

Graham was elected to the US senate in 2002 and was serving his fourth term while campaigning for re-election. He previously served in the US house of representatives from 1995 to 2003.

Although Graham sought the Republican presidential nomination in 2016 and initially criticised Trump, he later emerged as one of the president’s closest allies.

The South Carolina senator became a frequent adviser to Trump on foreign policy, particularly on Iran and Russia, and was a regular presence at the president’s golf outings.

On Friday, a day before his death, Graham announced an agreement with the Trump administration to move forward with a package of sanctions against Russia.

Throughout his political career, Graham was known for his hawkish foreign policy positions.

He consistently advocated tougher measures against Iran and supported efforts to limit the country’s missile and nuclear programmes.

He also backed Trump’s decision to strike Iranian nuclear facilities last year and remained a strong supporter of the administration’s approach to conflicts in the Middle East.

Graham’s death comes amid renewed scrutiny of transparency surrounding the health of US lawmakers following recent health-related absences involving other members of congress.