The South Carolina Republican served in Congress for more than three decades, became a prominent voice on national security and foreign policy and emerged as one of Israel’s strongest supporters in Washington

The South Carolina senator’s office said the 71-year-old died after a “brief and sudden illness.”

U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham died Saturday after a brief and unexpected illness, his office said in statement posted on social media.

Republican hawk and Iran critic was frequent visitor to Middle East and respected among Gulf leaders

Mr Graham, 71, a veteran senator, is notorious for often urging the US to go to war, especially wars that favour Israel.