Upholding a Red Line in Iran

Advancing American Freedom Foundation is a nonprofit institution that promotes and defends policies that elevate traditional American values.

POLICY DEPARTMENT UPHOLDING A RED LINE IN IRAN Ali Holcomb, National Security Fellow MARCH 3, 2026

TOPLINE: On Saturday morning (February 28), the American people woke up to the announcement that the United States and Israel were carrying out major strikes against the terrorist Iranian regime. By the end of the day it was confirmed that Iran’s Supreme Leader and tyrant, Ayatollah Khamenei, was dead. The United States did not start a war in those early hours; instead, it is working to end a decades-long war that the Iranian regime has waged on the U.S. and the West.

What We Know about Strikes So Far

● President Trump confirmed that the United States has sunk and destroyed 9 Iranian ships,

and Iran’s naval headquarters has been destroyed. ● Israel’s Air Force achieved air superiority within 24 over the skies of Tehran, dropping over

2,000 bombs in 30 hours - roughly half of what was used in the 12 Days War in June. ● Israel has estimated about half of Iran’s ballistic missile launchers have been destroyed in

strikes. ● The US and Israel together have struck over 2,000 targets across Iran.

● The Iranian Regime has flailed in its response, firing hundreds of missiles and drones at

Gulf cities, including Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Doha. Gulf nations in past conflicts have often been left alone, but the haphazard Iranian strikes have instead caused Gulf nations to side with the United States. Iran also closed the Strait of Hormuz, through which up to 30% of the world’s consumption passes. ● Saudi Arabia has announced it will aid countries in repelling Iranian attacks. ● U.S. bases were also targeted in Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Jordan,

and Saudi Arabia. Iran also targeted a U.K. base in Cyprus.

● Hezbollah has also reared its head from Lebanon to fire on Israel, but the Lebanese

government has spoken up in opposition to Hezbollah’s attacks.

● The United States Central Command announced the death of 6 US servicemembers,

with another 18 wounded. ● Israel has confirmed the death of 9 Israelis who were killed in an Iranian ballistic missile

attack, hitting a residential building. ● Along with the Ayatollah, more than 40 Iranian security and regime figures have been

eliminated through the opening strikes on Saturday morning. The precise Iranian death toll is still unclear. The Iranian Red Crescent Society, which has been alleged to operate under the influence of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard, claims 780 have been killed in the strikes.

2 For more of our research and scholarship, visit our website: www.advancingamericanfreedom.com.

LONG-TERM GLOBAL IMPACT

● It is impossible to predict exactly where this will go, but one thing is clear; this will be the

Iranian people’s best chance to overthrow the repressive Islamic Republic regime and fill it with a more compliant government. ● President Trump is right to call on the Iranian people to rise up: this is the promised “help.”

Freedom is theirs to fight for once the dust settles. The Iranian people have demonstrated they are willing to die in protest, and the United States has just paved a way for them to have a chance for freedom. ● Clips of footage show Iranians celebrating in the street, honking their cars, and setting of

fireworks. After the capture of Maduro and the Ayatollah’s death, the CIA has demonstrated that it is still the best gatherer of intelligence in the world, and we must pray that they have sourcing on Iran’s army, the Artesh, and the Iranian people’s willingness to fight to end the regime. ● The Iranian diaspora has poured into the streets of LA, London, DC, and NYC to rejoice in

the death of Ayatollah Khamenei. It is in the United States’ interest to neutralize a hostile Iran and any sort of nuclear and missile program they had developed, but it will also be to our benefit if the regime falls and a more compliant government takes its place.

● Gulf nations have been forced to reveal their preferences after being on the receiving end

of Iran’s strikes. They have not volunteered to work hand-in-glove with the US and Israel on the offense, but have stepped up in their own defense, and as a byproduct, a defense of Israel and the US.

● Western Europe, attempting to stay relatively neutral at the beginning of the strikes, has

engaged more fully. The UK is now allowing the US to use Diego Garcia for operations. The United States has demonstrated a clear ability to lead the free world. As in the past, where the US leads, the free world follows. ● France, the UK, and Germany have opened the door to striking Iranian launchers, and

have taken steps to increase their defenses after Iran struck a British air base on Cyprus. ● Russia is about to lose its Iranian oil supply, making it even more difficult to carry on its

war with Ukraine. Also, Russia is in no position to offer any aid to Iran beyond a statement of condemnation. The evil axis has grown weak.

● China too has been forced to take note and sees that when the US leads with strength,

nations around the world fall into line and neutral nations side with the US. A show of force from the US is a stronger world order, and that their allies of Venezuela, Iran, and Russia, are weak.

📄 Download the full PDF