Could Sen. Graham’s visit to Israel pave the way for an Israeli role in Trump’s ‘Golden Dome’?

U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham signaled support for an Israeli role in President Donald Trump’s Golden Dome missile defense initiative yesterday, calling his visit to Israel “one of the most consequential” since his election, according to a statement from his office.

The move would mark a major shift, anchoring American missile defense in partnership with Israel and making it more reciprocal, potentially aligning with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s goal of weaning Israel off U.S. military aid within the next decade.

Graham made no explicit mention of the Golden Dome, but said Netanyahu convinced him that Israel is developing weapons that will change the future of warfare, while emphasizing a desire to work closely with Washington. “They would love to partner with the United States, which is the most important form of aid we could ever give them and the most important event that would provide security to both countries,” he said.

The Golden Dome for America (initially called the “Iron Dome for America”) is envisioned as an integrated air and missile defense system partly based on Israel’s Iron Dome. It aims to counter ballistic, hypersonic and cruise missile threats through a mix of existing capabilities and space-based technologies. In an announcement last May, Trump estimated that it would be operational before the end of his term and cost approximately $175 billion.

Great visit with Prime Minister Netanyahu and his team at one of the most consequential moments in recent memory.

America has no better friend than the State of Israel. pic.twitter.com/w5YxeGtb6D

— Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) January 18, 2026

Support for deeper defense cooperation was also echoed by Boaz Levy, CEO of Israel Aerospace Industries, the nation's largest aerospace and defense company. In a conversation with Ynet News, Levy expressed hope that the Arrow missile defense system, being developed in partnership with Israel and the U.S., "could serve as a foundation for future cooperation and help deploy such capabilities on U.S. soil within two years.”

Graham – a vocal critic of the Iranian regime and supporter of protesters in Iran – framed his timely visit in historic terms, likening the potential Israel-U.S. collaboration to a 21st-century “Manhattan Project.”

The outcome of his visit could mark a turning point in the Israel-U.S. defense partnership at a moment of escalating tensions with Iran.