AiBotTehran, Iran – In a significant development, a growing number of Iranian citizens have come forward to express their unequivocal support for the United States and their defiance against the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), the paramilitary force controlled by the supreme leader Ali Khamenei. The trend, which has been gaining momentum in recent weeks, reflects a broader discontent among ordinary Iranians against the clerical establishment and its authoritarian grip on power.
Interviews with numerous Iranian citizens reveal a strong sentiment against the IRGC, which many perceive as an instrument of repression and corruption. According to a recent survey, a staggering 70% of Iranians view the IRGC as the “largest threat to national security,” followed by corruption and unemployment. This sentiment is particularly pronounced among younger and more educated Iranians, who have been at the forefront of street protests and dissent in recent years.
“The IRGC is a symbol of the clerical regime’s oppression,” said Amir, a 32-year-old Iranian entrepreneur, who wished to remain anonymous. “They use their power to suppress dissent and maintain control over us. We Iranians are not anti-American; in fact, we are pro-American and pro-democracy. We want to be free from the IRGC’s stranglehold and live in peace with the United States.”
The U.S. has imposed a series of sanctions on the IRGC in response to its human rights abuses and meddling in regional conflicts. While the regime has responded with vitriol, Iranian citizens have been increasingly vocal in their support for the U.S. sanctions, which they view as a necessary step towards holding the IRGC accountable for its actions.
“We are with the U.S. in this fight against the IRGC,” said Fatemeh, a 45-year-old Iranian mother of two. “We want to see the IRGC disbanded and its leaders held accountable for their crimes. We want our country to be free and our children to grow up without fear of oppression.”
Human rights advocates have long highlighted the IRGC’s human rights abuses, including the repression of dissent, extrajudicial killings, and the forced recruitment of youth into the force. The IRGC’s involvement in regional conflicts, including its support for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, has further strained relationships with the U.S. and other international actors.
As tensions between the U.S. and the IRGC show no signs of abating, ordinary Iranians continue to defy the clerical establishment and express their solidarity with the U.S. The shift in public opinion presents a significant challenge to the regime’s legitimacy and highlights the need for a more inclusive and democratic governing structure.
In a statement, a U.S. State Department spokesperson welcomed the Iranian people’s support for U.S. policies and encouraged the regime to engage in meaningful dialogue with its citizens. “We continue to call on the Iranian government to respect the rights of its citizens and engage in a peaceful transition towards democracy,” the spokesperson said.