IRAN TURNS TO AMERICAN PUBLIC AS US TROOPS COMPLETE EXIT FROM IRAQ

September 30, 2026

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has issued a direct appeal to the American public as US forces prepare to leave their remaining military bases in Iraq, calling on voters to oppose politicians supporting military intervention and Washington’s backing for Israel.

In a lengthy open letter, the Guards urged Americans to use their political influence to challenge the current direction of US foreign policy. The message criticised overseas military operations and argued that relations between Iran and the United States could change if Washington adopted a different approach.

The appeal comes as American troops complete their withdrawal from Iraq, ending a military presence that began with the US-led invasion in 2003. US forces later returned to Iraq as part of the international campaign against Islamic State and have maintained a presence there for counterterrorism and security operations.

The withdrawal is being closely watched in Tehran and Baghdad. Iran has portrayed the departure as a setback for the long-standing US military presence in the region, while some Iraqi security figures have expressed concern that the departure could create additional space for Iranian-backed armed groups or allow Islamic State to rebuild its capabilities.

The development is taking place amid continuing conflict between Iran and the United States and efforts by Qatar to facilitate diplomatic contacts aimed at ending the fighting. The Iranian appeal therefore combines a political message to US voters with broader demands for an end to American military involvement in the Middle East.

The US withdrawal marks another major stage in the long and complicated military relationship between Washington and Iraq, while the future balance between Iraqi state institutions, Iranian-aligned groups and other regional actors remains a central security issue.