US Senator Lindsey Graham has died after a brief and unexpected illness, his office says in a statement

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham died Saturday after a brief and unexpected illness, his office said in statement posted on social media.

The statement said the Republican from South Carolina passed away Saturday evening “from a brief and sudden illness.” No additional details were provided.

The Republican was elected to the U.S. Senate in 2002. He has been a close ally of President Donald Trump and a longtime hawk on Iran.

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

This is a breaking story. It will be updated.