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Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps issued a direct appeal to the American public on Tuesday, calling for the removal of the Trump administration and insisting that Tehran has emerged victorious in the war that began nearly seven months ago, according to an open letter published by the paramilitary organization.
The letter, addressed to what it called "the honorable people of the United States of America," was released five weeks ahead of the U.S. midterm elections and one day after the U.S.-Israel campaign against Iran reached its seven-month mark. In the document, the IRGC urged Americans to "wake up" and reclaim their government from what it described as corrupt political leadership.
The timing of the message appears calculated to influence American voters as they prepare to cast ballots in November. By framing the war as a failure that the White House has concealed from the public, the IRGC seems to be attempting to inject foreign policy concerns into a midterm election cycle that has already been dominated by questions about the conflict's cost and direction. The letter explicitly states that "now is the time, as the American political system is at its weakest," suggesting Tehran views the pre-election period as a moment of vulnerability in Washington.
The IRGC accused the Trump administration of misleading the American people about the war's progress, Iran's nuclear program, and control of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway for global energy and agricultural trade. The letter asserts that the United States and Israel dropped thousands of bombs and missiles, targeting government buildings, residential areas, weapons manufacturing facilities, and decommissioned military sites, yet failed to accomplish any of their stated objectives. It acknowledged damage to some nuclear-related buildings and a limited number of air defense installations but argued that these strikes did not amount to strategic success.
Central to the letter's argument is the claim that Iran has won the war. The IRGC said the U.S. has not achieved its declared goals, including curtailing Iran's nuclear program. Washington has repeatedly cited the threat of Iranian nuclear weapons as a primary justification for launching the conflict, but Tehran maintains that its uranium enrichment activities are intended solely for civilian energy purposes.
The letter draws a deliberate distinction between the American government and its citizens, seeking to align the grievances of U.S. voters with those of Iranians. It describes both nations as victims of corrupt politicians in the White House and states that the two peoples "share the same pain." This framing is part of a broader effort by Iran to reach American audiences directly and undermine support for the war.
The IRGC also addressed the controversial "Death to America" slogan often chanted at Iranian political rallies, insisting it is directed at the U.S. political establishment rather than the American people. The letter described the phrase as a prayer for the eradication of what it called a diabolical ruling elite based in the White House. This explanation is unlikely to persuade many American observers, but it reflects Tehran's attempt to soften its public image among U.S. voters.
Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, IRGC spokesperson Hossein Mohebbi reinforced the letter's message, calling Trump an inveterate liar who tells big lies to the American public. Mohebbi argued that U.S. citizens are largely unaware of the true costs and consequences of the administration's campaign. He suggested that if Americans understood the reality of the situation, they would think differently and pressure their government to change course.
Al Jazeera reached out to the White House for comment but did not receive a response before publication. The absence of an immediate reply leaves the administration's position on the IRGC's claims unclear, though Trump has consistently maintained that Iran is losing the war and that U.S. pressure will eventually force Tehran to accept a deal.
The IRGC spokesperson also rejected U.S. assertions that Iran has lost much of its leverage over the Strait of Hormuz. Since the war began, Iran has restricted traffic through the waterway, prompting the United States to impose a blockade in response. Mohebbi dismissed the idea that occasional small vessels could slip through under cover of darkness, arguing that such isolated incidents do not mean the strait is open for normal commerce.
Data from Kpler, a trade analytics firm, indicates that oil exports through the Strait of Hormuz have been recovering, averaging approximately 13.2 million barrels per day over the past week, which represents about 77 percent of pre-war levels. This figure suggests that while Iran's restrictions have disrupted global energy flows, they have not completely halted them, and the situation remains fluid.
The diplomatic picture remains complex. Both U.S. and Iranian officials met separately with mediators on Monday as part of renewed efforts to end the conflict. Tehran has stated that diplomacy is the only viable path to resolution. However, Trump struck a more aggressive tone in his address to the United Nations General Assembly last week, weighing whether to annihilate Iran or pursue a deal that would allow it to rebuild.
The IRGC's letter is not Iran's first attempt to communicate directly with the American public. Since the war began on February 28, Iran-linked media and online networks have used artificial intelligence to generate Lego-themed videos, memes, and other short-form content in English to promote Tehran's narrative about the conflict. These efforts reflect a sophisticated propaganda strategy aimed at shaping American public opinion and eroding support for the war.
The letter's release underscores the extent to which the conflict has become a battle for legitimacy and public perception on both sides. While the Trump administration portrays the war as a necessary response to Iranian aggression and nuclear ambitions, Tehran is working to convince Americans that the conflict is an unnecessary and costly endeavor driven by dishonest politicians. With the midterm elections approaching and diplomacy ongoing, the coming weeks will determine whether either side can translate its narrative into tangible political or strategic gains.
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