Graham Taunts Iranian Leader with Movie Quote

Senator responds to Khamenei's threat to sink U.S. warships with line from 'True Grit'

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) countered a threat from Iran's supreme leader against American warships with a famous movie quote on Wednesday. Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei threatened to sink U.S. vessels amid nuclear talks between the two countries this week. Graham responded on social media with a line from the 1969 western 'True Grit', mocking Khamenei's threat.

Why it matters

The exchange highlights the ongoing tensions between the U.S. and Iran, particularly around the nuclear negotiations. Graham's use of a movie quote to taunt the Iranian leader is seen as an attempt to downplay the threat and project American strength.

The details

Khamenei said 'The Americans constantly say that they've sent a warship toward Iran. Of course, a warship is a dangerous piece of military hardware. However, more dangerous than that warship is the weapon that can send that warship to the bottom of the sea.' Graham responded on X with a line from 'True Grit': 'Bold talk for a one-eyed fat man,' before adding 'See you at the movies. Oh I forgot, you don't have movies.'

  • On February 18, 2026, Khamenei made the threat against U.S. warships.

The players

Lindsey Graham

A Republican senator from South Carolina who serves as the chair of the Senate Committee on the Budget.

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei

The supreme leader of Iran who threatened to sink U.S. warships amid nuclear negotiations.

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What they’re saying

“Bold talk for a one-eyed fat man.”

— Lindsey Graham, U.S. Senator (X)

What’s next

The U.S. and Iran are continuing negotiations over a new nuclear deal, with tensions remaining high between the two countries.

The takeaway

Graham's use of a movie quote to mock Khamenei's threat is seen as an attempt to downplay the tensions and project American strength, but it also risks further escalating the rhetoric between the two countries.