When Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran, first declared, “Death to America is not just a slogan — it’s a policy,” it was meant to be a show of strength. A defiant stance. A banner under which Iran’s terror proxies would march across the Middle East. But when B-2 stealth bombers appeared within strike range of Tehran, that bravado suddenly looked a lot more like a death wish than a doctrine.
In what can only be described as the understatement of the decade, Khamenei now realizes: “Turns out, it’s actually not the best policy.”
For decades, Iran has exported terror under the illusion of ideological righteousness. “Death to America” wasn’t just graffiti on the walls of Qom—it was the battle cry behind billions in funding for Hamas, Hezbollah, the Houthis, and IRGC militias. It was the engine behind the October 7 massacre in Israel, where over 1,163 people were slaughtered by Iran-backed terrorists. It was the rationale for firing missiles at U.S. bases and threatening global trade through the Red Sea.
But ideology crumbles in the face of military reality.
On April 13, 2024, Iran made the ultimate mistake: it acted on its “Death to America” policy by launching 120 ballistic missiles, 170 drones, and 30 cruise missiles at Israel in the largest ballistic missile attack in history. On October 1, it escalated further with 200 more. Yet, these attacks only prompted what Iran never expected—an overwhelming response. Israel didn’t just retaliate. It humiliated Iran.
In Operation Days of Repentance, Israeli jets—unhindered by any air defense—penetrated deep into Iran, destroying radar systems, disabling command centers, and striking a nuclear facility that Tehran had long denied existed. The IRGC watched in stunned silence as its “deterrent” vanished in a cloud of smoke.
Meanwhile, American B-2 bombers moved into position. Quietly. Lethally. Their presence alone sent a message louder than any Iranian sermon: You are not untouchable.
Iran’s “Death to America” campaign has left it isolated, economically crippled, and strategically cornered. Its proxies—once emboldened—are now being systematically dismantled. Hezbollah is on its knees under Israeli airstrikes. The Houthis are being hunted by U.S. forces. Assad has fled Syria, ending Iran’s long-term grip on Damascus.
So now, after all the fire and fury, Khamenei has his epiphany: maybe basing national policy on genocidal chants isn’t sound statecraft. Maybe turning your country into the headquarters of global jihad brings more pain than prestige. Maybe the B-2 is more persuasive than the Basij.
“Turns out, it’s actually not the best policy.”
No kidding.
