Speaking on Fox News, Graham said that if the Iranian government collapses, the US will have the opportunity to reshape the Middle East and earn a "mountain of money".
When this regime collapses, we will have a new Middle East and we will make a lot of money" - the senator said, while affirming that then no one can threaten the important energy transport route, the Strait of Hormuz.
According to Mr. Graham, potential economic benefits come from the US being able to access huge oil sources in Iran and Venezuela.
He believes that these two countries own about 31% of the world's confirmed oil reserves, and Washington could establish a "partnership" with that huge energy source if the current government in Tehran is replaced.
Venezuela and Iran have 31% of the world's oil reserves. We will have a partnership with 31% of the known oil resources," Graham said, calling it "a good investment".
These statements were made in the context of escalating war in the Middle East and world oil prices rising sharply, at times exceeding 100 USD/barrel.
US President Donald Trump said that the energy price increase is just a "very small price to pay" for the military campaign to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons - something Tehran has repeatedly denied.
Meanwhile, Iran affirmed that its nuclear program is only for peaceful purposes and accused the US of seeking to control its oil resources.
