Washington, 12 July 2026 (dpa/MIA) - US Senator Lindsey Graham, a veteran Republican lawmaker and an influential voice on national security, has died after a "brief and sudden illness," his office said on Sunday. He was 71.

Graham died on Saturday evening, according to the statement.

"Senator Graham's family appreciates prayers at this time and asks for privacy during this incredibly difficult period," the statement said, without disclosing the cause of his death.

Graham was first elected to the US House of Representatives in 1994, representing the southern state of South Carolina, before moving to the Senate in 2003. He was seeking a fifth six-year term in November's mid-term elections.

One of the best-known members of Congress, Graham evolved from being one of President Donald Trump's fiercest Republican critics during the 2016 presidential campaign into one of his closest allies on Capitol Hill.

In a social media post Trump wrote: "Senator Lindsey Graham, one of the greatest people and Senators I have ever known, is dead! He was always working, and was a true American Patriot. Lindsey will be greatly missed!!!"

Known for his hawkish defence and foreign policy views, Graham strongly supported military action against Islamic State and was a long-time backer of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. 

More recently, he had called for "regime change" in Iran and endorsed US and Israeli military strikes on the country.

Prior to entering politics, Graham had served as a military lawyer in the Air Force. He had also been a member of the US Air Force Reserve while in Congress.

He was among Congress' strongest advocates for military aid to Ukraine in its fight against Russia. He met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kiev on Friday, just one day before his death.

"Good meeting with U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham in Kyiv," Zelensky had written on X on Friday, alongside a video of the two of them smiling and shaking hands. "This is already his 10th visit to our country, and we appreciate this support."

Graham had been due to appear for an interview on NBC News on Sunday morning, the broadcaster reported.

He had turned 71 years old on Thursday.

Photo: MIA archive