The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) of Iran released an open letter on Tuesday, addressing various allegations against the Islamic Republic and making counterclaims regarding the Trump administration. The letter, spanning 26 pages, proclaims Iran’s victory in the ongoing conflict that began on February 28, 2026, under President Trump’s orders. It is notably directed towards “the honorable people of the United States of America — the scholars, the students, and the members of the media.”
In response to assertions by the Trump administration that the U.S. military is targeting Iranian military sites, the IRGC emphasizes the substantial civilian toll in the conflict. “To date, the war has claimed the lives of more than 3,600 Iranians, the vast majority of them civilians, including 400 children. Eight universities, three hospitals, and eight schools have been bombed,” the letter claims. It adds that, despite the suffering endured by Iranians, the U.S. and Israel have faced a significant defeat while Iran has achieved a decisive victory.
The IRGC criticizes Trump directly, stating that the military has failed to meet its objectives. “American and Israeli officials initially claimed that their goals were regime change and the partition of Iran. However, after failing to achieve these aims, they became vague, announcing a new list of goals each week, showing their lack of a coherent strategy in the war,” the letter argues.
Furthermore, the IRGC stresses that their animosity isn’t directed at the American people but rather at their leadership: “The true source of the issues affecting our two nations is that the White House is occupied by individuals elected through campaigns rife with misleading propaganda, who do not represent the American populace.” The letter insists these leaders serve only the interests of a powerful elite, compromising both their own citizens and foreign nations alike.
When asked for a comment, the White House pointed to a post by Communications Director Steven Cheung, who dismissed the IRGC’s letter as “a farcical and laughable attempt” by a desperate group. Cheung claimed it shows they have failed their own populace, suggesting that their call for Americans to “vote Democrat” is misguided.
In a section of the letter, the IRGC references themes from the American media discussions during the Black Lives Matter protests, noting that the U.S. has only 4% of the world’s population but 20% of its prisoners and that over 1,300 Americans are killed by police each year—a figure unparalleled globally.
Interestingly, the IRGC also argues that public protests where Iranians chant “Death to America” are misinterpreted, claiming it is aimed at U.S. political leaders rather than the American populace itself. They provide a lengthy account of hostile actions taken by the U.S. against Iran over approximately 73 years, highlighting the U.S.-backed overthrow of a democratically elected government in 1953.
Moreover, the IRGC disputes its classification as a foreign terrorist organization by 24 countries and the EU, asserting that this label stems from its resistance to numerous U.S. efforts to incite unrest and coups in Iran. They argue that their designation as a terrorist organization is a cover for actions taken by the U.S. and its allies against Iran.
Throughout history, the IRGC has been implicated in several attacks against Americans. For instance, an IRGC officer was charged with the death of an American aid worker in Iraq in late 2022, and earlier actions linked to the IRGC resulted in the deaths of Americans during attacks on U.S. embassies in the 1980s.
The IRGC has also faced criticism for its actions, including the abduction and torture of CIA station chief William Francis Buckley in 1984, who suffered horrific treatment before his eventual death.
In moving beyond historical grievances, the IRGC asserts what it views as the decline of American power, claiming that U.S. interventions around the world primarily serve elite interests, rather than benefiting local populations or American citizens.
The IRGC continued to highlight current protests in Iran, suggesting that security forces, including the IRGC, were responsible for at least 3,000 Iranian deaths earlier this year, with some reports suggesting that total casualties could be as high as 30,000.
In their letter, the IRGC cites various characteristics of governmental decline as noted by political scholars, which they argue apply to the current U.S. government. They observe traits such as tyranny, violence, and a focus on trivial matters at the expense of essential societal issues.
The letter reiterates long-held grievances against the U.S., indicating a shift in Iran’s communication strategy. It seems to reflect an effort by the IRGC to maintain influence over ongoing negotiations with the Trump administration aimed at resolving the conflict. The Pentagon has yet to respond to the IRGC letter as of this writing.
