In December 2025, thousands of protesters took to the streets of Iran to march against the nation’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Economic turmoil and civil rights abuses led hundreds of thousands of Iranian citizens to speak out against the corrupt government, chanting the words “Marg bar diktator” (Death to the dictator), and their words were met with violence. Some reports estimate that as many as 30,000 protesters were killed by the Iranian government, with eyewitnesses claiming to have seen the horrific mass murder of their fellow citizens (McClure & Parent, 2026).

The United States, acting as the world’s beacon of freedom and liberty, gave fair warning to Khamenei not to commit inhumane acts against peaceful protesters. The U.S. administration signaled that if protesters were killed, it would intervene, with President Trump declaring the military was “locked and loaded” to come to their rescue (BBC News, 2026).

And come to their rescue, America did, with a military strike that devastated the Iranian regime. This operation resulted in the death of Supreme Leader Khamenei and caused widespread destruction of the regime’s military infrastructure as part of the United States’ forceful retaliation (FDD Action, 2026).

Victory often favors the one with the bigger stick, but that is not always the case. The British held the “bigger stick” when America fought for its freedom and liberty. Like David slaying the giant with a tiny sling and a rock, America’s rock was a passion for liberty that ultimately overcame British rule. While it may not seem like a traditional David and Goliath story — as America outweighs Iran on every scale — the Iranian citizens were the David standing against the giant of a dictatorial regime. Their “rock” was the courage to stand up and voice their desire for freedom; when that passion met the retaliatory force of the American military, the dynamic shifted. 

This rock, which has been slung once again to slay the giant that slanders and oppresses God-given freedoms, has many names. Some call it Operation Epic Fury; others call it the Lion’s Roar. Some call it unfair or unlawful, while others call it justified. Some hear in it the cries of thousands standing up for what is right; others call it horrific and unnecessary. Some see it as the hand of God, while some even say it is prophecy fulfilled.

And come to their rescue, America did as the “rock” that has many names — names that shall be forever linked to the sacrifice of those who gave their lives: Capt. Cody A. Khork, 35, of Winter Haven, Florida; Maj. Jeffrey R. O’Brien, 45, of Waukee, Iowa; CWO3 Robert M. Marzan, 54, of Sacramento, California; SFC Noah L. Tietjens, 42, of Bellevue, Nebraska; SFC Nicole M. Amor, 39, of White Bear Lake, Minnesota; and Sgt. Declan J. Coady, 20, of West Des Moines, Iowa (Price, 2026).

References:

BBC News. (2026, January 21). US imposes fresh sanctions on Iran over protest crackdown. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c0q4z33pnnyo

FDD Action. (2026, February 28). Policy alert: U.S. launches Operation Epic Fury to eliminate Iran’s nuclear and missile threats. https://www.fddaction.org/policy-alerts/2026/02/28/policy-alert-u-s-launches-operation-epic-fury-to-eliminate-irans-nuclear-and-missile-threats/

McClure, T., & Parent, D. (2026, January 27). Disappeared bodies, mass burials and ‘30,000 dead’: What is the truth of Iran’s death toll? The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2026/jan/27/iran-protests-death-toll-disappeared-bodies-mass-burials-30000-dead

Price, M. (2026, March 6). Names released for 6 soldiers killed by suspected Iranian drone strike in Kuwait. Charlotte Observer. https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/state/north-carolina/article314892297.html

Yahoo News. (2026, March 6). Trump to attend dignified transfer of soldiers. https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/trump-attend-dignified-transfer-soldiers-164520443.html