Leaked Memo Reveals IRGC Messaging Strategy
A leaked memo from the Strategic Center of Tasnim News Agency — an outlet tied to Iran’s security apparatus — lays out an explicit plan to shape public perceptions of the nationwide protests and to undermine exiled Prince Reza Pahlavi. The document instructs state-linked media to frame the unrest as foreign-instigated, detach protesters from political alternatives, and depict Pahlavi as a Western-backed puppet.
The Iran International report provides the memo text and context; for background on the Revolutionary Guards’ wider influence, see a concise overview at the IRGC background.
What the Memo Says and Why It Matters
The memo lays out three main lines: deny Pahlavi a domestic base and attribute protests to the United States and Israel; separate general social anger from support for Pahlavi; and attack his credibility as inconsistent and cowardly. Analysts quoted in the report call the strategy a classic narrative war aimed at preventing protesters from coalescing around a political alternative.
On Feb. 2, 2026, Iran International published the memo and commentary from freelance analyst Rouhollah Rahimpour, who described how timing, terminology and narratives are coordinated across the Islamic Republic’s media machinery. The approach seeks to let anger vent without allowing leadership to form.
Internal media directives like this matter because they show intentional steps by state-linked actors to control the political trajectory of the protests rather than simply reporting events.
Why This Strategy Is Dangerous
State-directed narratives distort how citizens understand protest motives and leaders. By labeling dissent as foreign-driven and isolating political figures like Reza Pahlavi, the regime reduces the chance of an organized, peaceful opposition forming inside Iran. This tactic deepens mistrust, fragments dissent, and can justify harsher security measures under the guise of national defense.
For readers tracking the protests, the memo is a reminder that information itself is a battlefield and that independent verification and international scrutiny remain vital. Civil society and diaspora media play a critical role in pushing back against coordinated disinformation.
Key Takeaways
- Verify sources: cross-check state media with independent outlets and eyewitness accounts before amplifying reports.
- Support independent media: fund and protect journalists who report from inside Iran to preserve frontline coverage.
- Expose narratives: document coordinated messaging and share evidence to prevent propaganda from shaping public debate.
- Protect networks: use secure channels, archive material, and train volunteers to safeguard sources and testimonies.
The leaked memo is not merely a media brief—it is evidence of a deliberate strategy to shape Iran’s political future from within. International observers, independent journalists, and civic networks must continue to document these tactics so citizens can make informed choices despite state-directed disinformation.
For additional context, see related coverage of the protests and the regime’s response at Reza Pahlavi coverage and IRGC analysis.