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Iran's IRGC Appeals to US Voters as American Troops Complete Iraq Withdrawal
Summary
Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has urged Americans to vote against President Trump's allies, a move timed with the final U.S. military withdrawal from Iraq and ongoing diplomatic tensions impacting global energy markets.
Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has issued a direct appeal to American voters, urging them to remove President Donald Trump's political allies from power in the upcoming congressional elections. The unusual move comes as U.S. forces were scheduled to complete their withdrawal from Iraq on Wednesday, a development Tehran has framed as a major strategic victory.
A Direct Political Appeal
In a 26-page letter published on Tuesday, the IRGC called on Americans to use their political power to oust current leaders, according to a Reuters report. "Remove from power the evil, deceitful, and violent politicians who are responsible for America’s current state," the letter stated, also calling for a rejection of U.S. military intervention abroad and support for Israel.
The appeal targets issues that polls suggest are challenging for the administration ahead of the November 3 congressional elections. A Reuters/Ipsos poll published September 21 found just 17% of respondents approved of Trump’s handling of the cost of living, while only 34% approved of the military strikes on Iran.
US Withdrawal and Regional Impact
The final withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq marks the end of a 23-year military presence that began with the 2003 invasion to topple Saddam Hussein. The departure was agreed to in 2024 by the administration of former President Joe Biden.
AdIran, which aims to expel American forces from the entire Middle East, views the withdrawal as a triumph for its "axis of resistance," a regional network of allied armed groups. The seven-month-old conflict between the U.S. and Iran has drawn in these allies, including militias in Iraq and the Houthis in Yemen.
Diplomatic Stalemate and Market Concerns
Despite ongoing mediation efforts by Qatar, the U.S. and Iran have not found a resolution to the conflict. A Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesperson confirmed on Monday that they are "exchanging messages between the parties" to find common ground. However, a peace proposal floated by Iran at the UN last week was rejected by President Trump.
The conflict has significant implications for global energy markets. Tehran has retaliated against military pressure by restricting oil tanker traffic in the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a chokepoint for approximately 20% of global oil and liquefied natural gas. This has contributed to higher world energy prices. President Trump reiterated on Tuesday that Iran is "doing very poorly" and predicted they will ultimately "give up."
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