WASHINGTON, United States (AFP)—Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, an influential ally of President Donald Trump and advocate of hawkish US foreign policy, has died unexpectedly aged 71, his office said.

Graham was a staunch supporter of the Iran war, and in recent years urged both the Trump and Biden administrations to back Ukraine in its fight against Russia’s invasion.

The South Carolina senator bitterly opposed Trump a decade ago, but ultimately backed the billionaire president as he steadily gained power over the Republican Party.