Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has issued an open letter accusing President Donald Trump of misleading US citizens regarding the ongoing war and calling for a change in the US government. The letter, released on Tuesday, urges Americans to 'wake up' and reclaim control from 'corrupt politicians'. This appeal comes five weeks before the midterm elections and coincides with the seven-month mark of the US-Israel conflict with Iran.
The IRGC claims that the Trump administration has failed to meet its objectives in the war, including curtailing Iran’s nuclear program. The letter states, 'The United States and Israel expended thousands of bombs and missiles, striking government and residential buildings... yet... they failed to achieve any of their declared objectives.'
The letter distinguishes between the US government and its citizens, suggesting that both Iranians and Americans are victims of corrupt leadership. It states, 'We share the same pain.'
This is not the first time Iran has attempted to communicate directly with Americans; since the war began on February 28, Iranian media has utilized AI-generated content to convey its message. The IRGC also clarified the meaning behind the slogan 'Death to America', asserting it targets the US political establishment rather than the American populace.
IRGC spokesperson Hossein Mohebbi accused Trump of being an 'inveterate liar' and claimed that Americans are largely unaware of the negative impacts of the Trump administration's policies. He emphasized that if US citizens were fully informed, they would likely pressure their government differently.
Al Jazeera reached out to the White House for comment but had not received a response by the time of publication. Trump has cited the threat of nuclear weapons as justification for the war against Iran, while Iran maintains that its uranium enrichment is for civilian purposes. Mohebbi stated, 'The enemy [US] knows that Iran is not after nuclear weapons.'
Mohebbi also contested US claims that Iran has lost leverage over the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial waterway for global trade. He noted that oil exports through the strait have been recovering, averaging about 13.2 million barrels per day, approximately 77 percent of pre-war levels.
While Trump has claimed that Iran is 'losing badly', he dismissed an Iranian proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz as 'unacceptable'. Both US and Iranian officials have engaged with mediators in efforts to end the conflict, with Tehran asserting that diplomacy is the only viable solution. At the recent United Nations General Assembly, Trump stated he was contemplating whether to 'annihilate' Iran, suggesting that a decision could come after the upcoming elections on November 3, which will determine control of the US Congress.