US Senator Lindsey ‌Graham passed away on Saturday evening ​after a ​brief and sudden illness, ⁠the communications ​director for his ​office said in a post on X ​early on ​Sunday.

Graham, 71, was a prominent ‌Republican ⁠senator from South Carolina.

“Senator Graham’s family appreciates ​prayers ​at ⁠this time and asks for ​privacy during ​this ⁠incredibly difficult period,” his office ⁠added.

The Republican was elected to the US Senate in 2002.

He has been a close ally of President Donald Trump and a longtime hawk on Iran.

As a member of the US House in the 1990s, he backed policies aimed at isolating the country and limiting its missile and nuclear programmes.

The South Carolina politician was a hardline critic of Iran and was widely respected in the Gulf states.