Republican US Senator Lindsey Graham died on Saturday at age 71 after a sudden illness, according to The Guardian.
The South Carolina lawmaker was a key figure in Republican foreign policy and a close adviser to President Donald Trump on international matters, including Israel, Ukraine, and Iran.
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Tributes poured in from world leaders.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called Graham a "great friend of Israel and a cherished friend of mine."
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy hailed him as "a true defender of freedom and the values that make our world safer."
Former White House official Brett Bruen noted that Graham had inherited the foreign policy mantle of his late colleague John McCain, though with a different approach under Trump.
"There's no doubt Lindsey Graham was a central figure in Republican foreign policy circles," Bruen said.
He added that Graham's absence could affect how the administration handles future foreign interventions and diplomatic deals.
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Graham's hawkish career included strong support for the 2003 invasion of Iraq. He later focused on isolating Iran, opposing the 2015 nuclear deal and urging military measures.
During Trump's second term, he encouraged a firm stance against Iranian leadership, dismissing claims that Iran remained strong despite US pressures.
On Gaza, Graham backed Israeli military actions after the October 7, 2023 attacks, advocating for uninterrupted military aid to Israel.
His comments about the Palestinian population drew controversy.
Democratic Senator Adam Schiff described Graham as "the Trump whisperer," noting that many lawmakers sought his insight into the president's thinking.
European leaders also expressed condolences. Finnish President Alexander Stubb called Graham "a personal friend, a supporter of NATO and Ukraine."
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German Chancellor Friedrich Merz emphasized decades of cooperation, calling Graham "a true friend and partner of Germany in the transatlantic alliance."
