Alaska delegation issues statements supporting military action that obliterated Ayatollah Khamenei

By SUZANNE DOWNING

Feb. 28, 2026 – Alaska’s congressional delegation voiced strong support for US and Israeli military strikes on Iran following late-Friday operations that reportedly targeted key nuclear facilities and senior regime figures, including Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

“Khamenei, one of the most evil people in History, is dead. This is not only Justice for the people of Iran, but for all Great Americans, and those people from many Countries throughout the World, that have been killed or mutilated by Khamenei…” said President Donald Trump.

The strikes represent one of the most consequential escalations between the United States, Israel, and Iran in decades. While details remain fluid, the operations were described by administration officials as coordinated, targeted actions aimed at degrading Iran’s nuclear and military capabilities.

Senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan,a long with Congressman Nick Begich separately issued statements broadly backing the mission, though with varying emphasis.

Murkowski, in a surprising statement supporting the military action, commended the troops involved and emphasized the need for accountability for Iran’s regime, while also calling for full congressional engagement as events unfold. She is angling for the leadership of the Senate Appropriations subcommittee for Defense, which may be why she did not fall into her usual “Congress should have been consulted” position.

“I commend the extraordinary bravery, discipline, and professionalism of the troops who carried out this mission, and thank our allies for their swift and decisive coordination to protect our servicemembers in the immediate aftermath of these strikes,” Murkowski said. “We pray for their safety, and for the innocent civilian lives that were lost.”

She added that “there is no question that Iran’s brutal regime must be held accountable for its ongoing aggression abroad and its ruthless repression of its own people.”

However, Murkowski signaled caution about the broader scope of military action, noting that events are “rapidly unfolding” and that she expects Congress to receive comprehensive briefings on “the scope, objectives, and risks of any further military action.”

Her statement mirrors her past position following earlier US actions against Iran, in which she supported targeted action, but only if and when receiving classified briefings.

Sen. Sullivan offered a stronger endorsement of the strikes, framing the action as part of a decades-long effort to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.

“Iran has been a catalyst for terrorism, mayhem and violence all over the Middle East and across the world for decades,” Sullivan said. “The terrorist leaders of Iran have, in essence, been at war with the United States since the Ayatollahs took over Iran in 1979.”

He referenced past attacks on Americans, including the Beirut Marine barracks bombing, Khobar Towers, and the use of roadside bombs in Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as what he described as recent assassination attempts against President Donald Trump.

“That’s why a bipartisan goal of every president since the Iranian revolution has been to ensure that the largest state sponsor of terrorism doesn’t have nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles,” Sullivan said. “The world is not safe with an Iran with relentless nuclear and terrorist ambitions.”

Sullivan and his wife, Julie, said they are praying for American service members conducting “these dangerous missions.”

Congressman Begich aligned closely with Sullivan’s posture, calling the strikes a “necessary and targeted response” to what he described as Iran’s long-running nuclear deception and destabilizing regional behavior.

“The United States cannot afford complacency against a regime hell-bent on our destruction,” Begich said.

He argued that diplomatic engagement alone has proven insufficient and called for a comprehensive campaign of “maximum pressure,” including expanded sanctions, cyber operations, covert disruption of Iran’s nuclear and missile programs, and a decisive military posture.

Begich also pointed to Iran’s support for proxy groups including Hezbollah, Hamas, the Houthis, and Shia militias across Iraq and Syria, as well as its deepening ties with U.S. adversaries.

Not all reactions have been supportive. The editorial board of The New York Times criticized the administration’s approach, calling it “reckless” and arguing that its goals are ill-defined.

The board wrote that the president “has failed to line up the international and domestic support that would be necessary to maximize the chances of a successful outcome” and accused the administration of disregarding domestic and international law governing warfare.

The editorial shows how the newspaper is out of step with everyday Iranians, who have been celebrating around the world the liberation of Iran from the mullahs.