Pierce Delahunt (he/they)

Iran's IRGC Publishes 26-Page Open Letter To Directly to AMERICANS I read the entire letter. It is FAR more extensive than the excerpts circulating online. The IRGC DIRECTLY addresses American citizens, students, academics and journalists, laying out its view of the war, decades of U.S.-Iran hostility and what it believes Americans should do next. Key points: • IRAN CLAIMS VICTORY: The letter argues the U.S. and Israel failed to achieve their objectives despite vastly greater military spending. It points to Iran's control of the Strait of Hormuz, continued weapons production, national unity and damage inflicted on U.S. regional bases. • WHY IRAN DID NOT BREAK: The IRGC says Iran's strength ultimately comes not from missiles or drones, but from Quranic principles, national unity and religious leadership. It devotes several pages to Karbala and the Shia principle of resisting oppression regardless of the cost. • "DEATH TO AMERICA SLOGAN": The IRGC says the slogan targets America's ruling political establishment, NOT ordinary Americans. It argues that Iranians and Americans are both victims of the same political elite. • 73 YEARS OF HOSTILITY: The letter traces the conflict from the 1953 coup through the Shah, the Iran-Iraq War, sanctions, Flight 655, the killing of Qasem Soleimani, the 2025 war, the January 2026 unrest and the current war. • IRGC TERRORISM DESIGNATION: The Guards argue Washington designated the IRGC a terrorist organization because it repeatedly blocked U.S. attempts to weaken or overthrow the Islamic Republic. • NUCLEAR PROGRAM: The letter calls allegations that Iran is pursuing nuclear weapons one of Washington's biggest lies. It notes that U.S. officials have claimed for 25 YEARS that Iran was only "weeks or months" away from building a bomb, yet Iran still has no nuclear weapon. • ISRAEL: The IRGC argues U.S. support for Israel has damaged America's interests, reputation and finances, while American taxpayers continue funding Israeli military operations. • AMERICAN DECLINE: The letter blames foreign wars, military spending, national debt, deindustrialization and poor leadership for weakening the U.S. It contrasts this with China's continued advances while Washington spends enormous resources fighting wars abroad. • CLOSE THE BASES: The letter urges Americans to demand the closure of roughly 800 U.S. overseas military bases, bring American troops home, end aid to Israel and redirect that money toward science, advanced manufacturing and domestic prosperity. • CHANGE U.S. LEADERSHIP: Americans are urged to use their votes to remove politicians the letter describes as corrupt and dishonest. It specifically mocks politicians who think they can buy Americans' votes with a $5,000 payment. • THE WARNING: The IRGC warns that continuing the war could trigger broader political and economic backlash against U.S. interests around the world. • THE OFFER: Despite its attacks on the U.S. government, the letter tells Americans: "We can live together in peaceful coexistence." • THE ENDING: The final paragraphs invoke JESUS CHRIST and IMAM MAHDI, saying Iran awaits their return to establish justice and hopes Americans will ultimately stand alongside Iranians. The central message across all 26 pages is a clear distinction between the AMERICAN GOVERNMENT and the AMERICAN PEOPLE. The IRGC portrays the conflict as the result of decades of U.S. policy while telling Americans that a completely different relationship with Iran remains possible.