Graham: 2018 will be year of 'extreme danger'

By Brett Samuels -

Sen. Lindsey GrahamLindsey Olin GrahamGOP and Dems bitterly divided by immigration We are running out of time to protect Dreamers US trade deficit rises on record imports from China MORE (R-S.C.) on Sunday warned that 2018 could be a year of “extreme danger,” citing growing tensions with North Korea and Iran.

“We’ve got a chance here to deliver some fatal blows to some really bad actors in 2018. But if we blink, God help us all,” the South Carolina Republican added on CBS's "Face the Nation." 

Graham has been outspoken about the threat of war between the U.S. and North Korea, saying he believes there’s a 30 percent chance the U.S. will use military force if North Korea conducts another long-range ballistic missile test.

He added that the odds increase to 70 percent if North Korea detonates another nuclear bomb.

North Korea in November claimed it successfully launched a test missile capable of reaching anywhere on the United States mainland.

Graham said Sunday that President TrumpDonald John TrumpHouse Democrat slams Donald Trump Jr. for ‘serious case of amnesia’ after testimony Skier Lindsey Vonn: I don’t want to represent Trump at Olympics Poll: 4 in 10 Republicans think senior Trump advisers had improper dealings with Russia MORE has rejected trying to contain North Korea’s nuclear program, and has instead focused on denying Pyongyang the chance to hit the United States with a nuclear-tipped missile. 

“2018 is going to be the year to deny North Korea the capability to hit the homeland,” Graham said.

He added that Iran will be watching how the United States handles North Korea, and Pyongyang will be watching the Trump administration's moves toward Tehran.