Iranian American Sam Asghari Applauds U.S. Strike on Iran

Britney Spears' Iranian American ex-husband Sam Asghari is applauding America for joining forces with Israel and striking Iran Saturday ... even saying he's glad the country's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is dead.

The actor and model didn't hold back to photographers as he reflected on the massive military mission launched Saturday ... saying his home country's government being wiping out is "justified."

And he doesn't hesitate to applaud Khamenei's death specifically, saying it was "deserved" and that he deserved a larger punishment than death alone.

Khamenei assumed almost total control over Iran during his nearly 4 decades in power ... and was known to be a ruthless leader who suppressed anyone who opposed him, and is accused of mismanaging the country's economics and isolating its people.

Sam said the regime needed to be dismantled "at any cost" but says he hopes the death toll remains as low as possible.

The actor shared similar sentiments in a statement to TMZ earlier Saturday, telling us he's thankful for the American military personnel for helping free the Iranian people. He added ... "Your sacrifice protects the freedoms that gave me my life and my opportunities. I’m proud to be an American."

On the other hand, he said "war is never a good thing" ... and is praying for "a peaceful outcome, for the protection of innocent lives, and for a future where freedom and peace win."

As we mentioned, America and the IDF launched attacks on Iran Saturday to topple the regime in Tehran after they began rebuilding their vault of nuclear weapons the U.S. claimed to have destroyed last year.