Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps Urges Americans to 'Wrest Control Back from Corrupt Politicians'

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has issued an open letter to American voters, urging them to "wrest control back from corrupt politicians" ahead of the U.S. midterm elections. The letter, published Tuesday, accuses the Trump administration of misleading the American public regarding the war between the U.S. and Iran, which has been ongoing for eight months.

"Americans need to wake up," the letter states. "Now is the time, as the American political system is at its weakest." IRGC spokesperson Hossein Mohebbi clarified that the letter's aim is to appeal to American voters rather than influence the Trump administration.

President Trump, however, has asserted that the Iranian government is nearing collapse and will seek an end to the war post-midterms. He reiterated this prediction at the U.N. General Assembly, threatening to "annihilate" Iran if an agreement to end the war is not reached. Following the collapse of a cease-fire in July, both nations have exchanged threats and engaged in intermittent attacks, while mediation efforts to revive negotiations have stalled.

The IRGC, however, declared victory in the war, contending that the U.S. has failed to achieve its objectives. The Corps claims that despite U.S. assertions of success, Iran has maintained control over the Strait of Hormuz and its nuclear program remains intact. It also asserts that Iran has expanded its global "cultural influence." The IRGC cited a U.S. strike on an elementary school in Minab, Iran, on February 28, which a U.N. fact-finding mission suggested could constitute a war crime. The U.S. has contested these findings and stated it was investigating the incident.

Furthermore, the IRGC accused the U.S. of enabling "genocide" in Gaza, where over 74,000 Palestinians have been killed since the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023. Israel has rejected allegations of genocide. The letter also references Israel's bombardment of Lebanon, which has resulted in over 4,000 deaths according to the Lebanese Health Ministry. "The genocide in Palestine and Lebanon and the endless wars in other parts of the world are carried out with your tax dollars," the letter reads.

Public opinion in the U.S. shows disapproval of the war with Iran, with a late August Reuters/Ipsos poll indicating 59% of Americans disapprove of U.S. military strikes on Iran, and 54% believing the action has not been worthwhile. Views on the conflict in Gaza are more divided, with a June AP-NORC poll finding only 22% of Americans consider Israel's military operations justified, and support for Israel declining among Democrats.

Lawmakers from both parties have raised concerns about the war's financial cost, with some Republicans expressing apprehension about its potential impact on their electoral prospects heading into the midterms, a period where cost of living is a primary voter concern.

The IRGC's letter also directly addresses the U.S. claims regarding its nuclear program and the Strait of Hormuz. The Corps refutes the White House's rationale for strikes in February, stating that Iran is not pursuing nuclear weapons and its enrichment program is for civilian purposes. While a March 2025 U.S. intelligence assessment indicated Iran was not developing a nuclear bomb, the International Atomic Energy Agency reported Iran's accumulation of uranium enriched up to 60% and has been unable to verify the stockpile's status since U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities.

The IRGC challenged statements about Iran's diminishing control over the Strait of Hormuz, noting that while occasional small shipments may occur, it does not signify an open passage. Data from trade analytics firm Kpler shows an increase in crude oil exports from key Middle Eastern producers through the Strait in September, reaching their highest level since the war began.

The letter proposes that the U.S. and Iran "can live together in peaceful coexistence" if the U.S. ends aid to Israel, ceases foreign wars, and closes its overseas military bases. The IRGC asserts its hostility is directed at the U.S. government, not its people, defining "Death to America" as a prayer against its "diabolical ruling elite."

In a broader context, the U.S. recently withdrew its remaining troops from Iraq, a move that some observers believe could bolster Iran and its allied militias. The IRGC's letter suggests that U.S. actions during the 2003 invasion of Iraq already "pushed Iraq solidly into Iran’s sphere of influence."

The IRGC posits that a change in U.S. policy could allow America to "once again take its place as the world’s leading economy and American [sic] will once again enjoy a prosperous life."

Previous instances of Iran directly addressing the American public include an open letter from Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian in April and the circulation of AI-generated cartoons by Iran-linked media aiming to reach American audiences.

The IRGC's letter concludes by imploring voters: "You are the ones who empower, with your votes, the government, and allow it to do what it does."