Iran's President Challenges U.S.: Dare to Fight the Revolutionary Guard
According to Iran International, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian recently publicly condemned the United States' comprehensive economic sanctions against Iran on social media, stating that if Washington insists on portraying itself as a warrior, it should confront the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps directly on the battlefield rather than targeting civilian supplies.
The statement sounds awkward, bordering on a direct challenge to Trump: if he has the courage, let him engage the Revolutionary Guard in open combat. If interpreted according to the president’s intent, the message is clear—should Trump possess the resolve, he should face the Revolutionary Guard head-on in actual military confrontation.
The Revolutionary Guard operates independently under the direct authority of the Supreme Leader, functioning as a parallel institution outside the reach of elected presidential control. With the sudden death of Ayatollah Khamenei, the Guard’s influence has surged rapidly, consolidating power across Iran’s political and military landscape. In effect, it has assumed many of the powers traditionally held by the presidency.
More significantly, there is a notable divergence between the president and the Revolutionary Guard on the issue of negotiations with the United States. While the president emphasizes the dire state of Iran’s economy and advocates leveraging current leverage to secure a swift agreement—aimed at persuading Trump to lift sanctions—the Guard maintains a hardline stance on the Strait of Hormuz, frequently engaging in provocative actions that undermine diplomatic efforts.
Yet the president’s remarks also carry inherent limitations. If not for the Guard’s repeated attacks on commercial vessels and its obstruction of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, would Trump have any reason to hesitate? Put simply, Trump could equally counter: if you are serious, stop targeting merchant ships and fight the U.S. military openly and directly.
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1877026612549632/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author alone.