Sen. Lindsey Graham Lindsey Olin GrahamSteele Dossier sub-source was subject of FBI counterintelligence probe Hillicon Valley: Subpoenas for Facebook, Google and Twitter on the cards | Wray rebuffs mail-in voting conspiracies | Reps. raise mass surveillance concerns Key Democrat opposes GOP Section 230 subpoena for Facebook, Twitter, Google MORE (R-S.C.) on Monday broke with President Trump Donald John TrumpSteele Dossier sub-source was subject of FBI counterintelligence probe Pelosi slams Trump executive order on pre-existing conditions: It 'isn't worth the paper it's signed on' Trump 'no longer angry' at Romney because of Supreme Court stance MORE on the issue of securing sea lanes, saying the U.S. needs to help its allies.

His remarks came after Trump suggested the U.S. doesn't have to protect commerce in foreign waterways like the Strait of Hormuz.

"Mr. President, you are right: our allies and stakeholders in the Strait of Hormuz should do more. However, safe navigation of sea lanes — vital to a world economy — is always in America's national security interest," Graham tweeted.

He added that protecting sea lanes is "best achieved by partnerships where all the stakeholders contribute and sacrifice for peaceful navigation."

Protecting sea lanes is best achieved by partnerships where all the stakeholders contribute and sacrifice for peaceful navigation of the seas.



Peace and economic prosperity are best achieved when bad actors are dealt with through international coalitions. — Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) June 24, 2019

Trump, who frequently opposes the nation's role as the world's police force, tweeted earlier in the day: "So why are we protecting the shipping lanes for other countries (many years) for zero compensation."

He suggested that the U.S. doesn't "even need to be there" as the "largest producer of Energy."

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The U.S. last week blamed Iran for attacks on two oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz, amid heightened tensions between the two nations, in an incident Trump called "very minor."

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo Michael (Mike) Richard PompeoPutin nominated for Nobel Peace Prize The Hill's Morning Report - Sponsored by Facebook - Trump previews SCOTUS nominee as 'totally brilliant' Pompeo accused of stumping for Trump ahead of election MORE also weighed in on Monday, tweeting that "freedom of navigation is paramount." His remarks followed a meeting with leaders in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates to discuss ways to counteract Iran's actions in the region. Pompeo called the meeting productive.