Lindsey Graham's Statement
In a social media post on March 2, 2026, Republican U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham asserted that Cuba is the next target for U.S. action following Iran. Graham declared,
Their regime will fall. Their days are numbered. The Iranian regime is on the verge of collapse. The ship's captain, the ayatollah, is dead as a stone.
Recent Incident
This statement follows a recent confrontation on February 25, 2026, when Cuban border guards opened fire on a U.S.-flagged speedboat that had approached within one nautical mile northeast of the El Pino channel. The incident resulted in four fatalities and six injuries, including the commander of the Cuban patrol vessel.
Furthermore, U.S. President Donald Trump has previously discussed the potential for a so-called 'friendly takeover' of Cuba. This matter also falls under the purview of Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who oversees relevant aspects of U.S.-Cuba relations.
Graham's remarks and the maritime clash highlight escalating tensions in U.S.-Cuban relations, which could significantly impact regional stability. Given the existing global focus on Iran, Cuba's emergence as a potential flashpoint adds another layer of complexity to American foreign policy. Observers are closely monitoring the situation, as it could lead to either a further escalation or new diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the growing crisis.