Newly released documentary footage shows the late Senator Lindsey Graham celebrating the US entering war with Iran — a damning look at how the conflict was sold, and bad news for anyone who bought the "quick victory" pitch.

• Graham, who died recently of a cardiac issue, is seen cheering the US strikes on Iran that began February 28 and comparing Trump and Netanyahu to Roosevelt and Churchill.
• The film, shot by Alex Holder starting in 2023, captures Graham lobbying for even more strikes, including on Hezbollah in southern Lebanon — something Netanyahu himself waved off as too aggressive.
• Graham predicted a fast win, saying Iran would lose control of cities within weeks; instead the US is now stuck in a drawn-out war and Iran controls the Strait of Hormuz.
• Footage shows Graham's tight ties to foreign leaders like Saudi Arabia's Mohammed bin Salman and Israeli officials, plus longtime funding from donors like Miriam and Sheldon Adelson.

Outlook: The war looks set to drag on with no quick exit, and the leaked footage will fuel more backlash over how the US got pulled in.