The IRGC’s Propaganda Machine: Manipulating Public Opinion at Home and Abroad

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) operates one of the most sophisticated propaganda machines in the world, designed to protect the Iranian regime’s interests, suppress dissent, and project influence globally. By controlling media outlets, employing cyber tactics, and spreading disinformation, the IRGC manipulates public opinion at home and abroad. This propaganda apparatus not only bolsters the regime’s narrative but also undermines opposition movements, disrupts international alliances, and destabilizes regional security.

This report examines the IRGC’s propaganda strategies, its tools of influence, and the implications for Iranian society and the international community.

1. The Goals of the IRGC’s Propaganda Machine

A. Securing Domestic Control

 • The IRGC aims to maintain the regime’s legitimacy by shaping public opinion, discrediting opposition movements, and justifying government policies.

 • It promotes narratives portraying the regime as a protector of Islamic values and a defender against foreign interference.

B. Regional Influence

 • The IRGC uses propaganda to bolster its proxies, including Hezbollah, the Houthis, and Shia militias, framing them as legitimate resistance groups.

 • It undermines rival governments in the Middle East, particularly Saudi Arabia, Israel, and the United States, to expand Iran’s influence.

C. Global Outreach

 • Internationally, the IRGC spreads disinformation to influence foreign perceptions of Iran, challenge sanctions, and counter narratives critical of the regime.

 • It seeks to portray Iran as a victim of Western aggression while positioning itself as a leader of the Islamic world.

2. Key Components of the IRGC’s Propaganda Machine

A. State-Controlled Media

 1. Domestic Media Outlets:

 • The IRGC controls major news agencies like Tasnim and Fars News, which disseminate pro-regime narratives.

 • State-controlled broadcasters, including IRIB (Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting), serve as tools for spreading propaganda.

 2. International Media Channels:

 • Channels like Press TV target international audiences, presenting Iran’s perspective on global events while discrediting adversaries.

 • These outlets often spread anti-Western narratives and amplify divisive rhetoric in target countries.

B. Cyber Operations

 1. Social Media Manipulation:

 • The IRGC operates troll farms and fake accounts to amplify pro-regime messages, hijack hashtags, and suppress opposition campaigns.

 • It spreads disinformation on platforms like Twitter, Instagram, and Telegram to manipulate public discourse.

 2. Hacking and Espionage:

 • Cyber units linked to the IRGC hack opposition groups, journalists, and foreign governments to steal information and spread false narratives.

 • Leaked information is often used to discredit opponents and sow distrust.

C. Religious and Cultural Messaging

 • The IRGC collaborates with religious institutions to reinforce its ideology and frame its actions as part of a divine mission.

 • Through cultural initiatives, including films, music, and literature, the IRGC promotes narratives glorifying its role in defending Iran and Islam.

3. Propaganda Tactics at Home

A. Controlling the Narrative

 • The IRGC shapes public perception by tightly controlling news coverage, censoring dissenting voices, and promoting state-approved narratives.

 • Protests and opposition movements are labeled as foreign-instigated plots to delegitimize their causes.

B. Censorship and Media Suppression

 • Independent media outlets are shut down or heavily restricted, while journalists face arrest, torture, or exile for reporting critical stories.

 • Internet blackouts are implemented during protests to prevent the spread of information and disrupt activist coordination.

C. Fear-Based Messaging

 • The IRGC spreads fear by portraying external threats (e.g., U.S. and Israeli aggression) as imminent dangers, rallying public support for the regime

• It uses propaganda to justify crackdowns on protests, claiming they are necessary to maintain national security.

4. Propaganda Tactics Abroad

A. Disinformation Campaigns

 • The IRGC spreads false narratives to undermine sanctions, delegitimize opposition groups, and influence foreign policy debates.

 • Disinformation is used to divide public opinion in Western democracies and weaken international alliances.

B. Supporting Proxy Narratives

 • The IRGC amplifies the voices of its proxies, framing them as legitimate resistance movements fighting oppression.

 • This includes glorifying Hezbollah in Lebanon, the Houthis in Yemen, and Shia militias in Iraq.

C. Leveraging Diaspora Communities

 • The IRGC targets Iranian diaspora communities with propaganda, attempting to shape their views and undermine opposition efforts abroad.

 • It spreads false information to discredit exiled activists and organizations.

5. Impacts of the IRGC’s Propaganda

A. Domestic Consequences

 • The propaganda machine has stifled dissent, creating a climate of fear and self-censorship among Iranians.

 • It has deepened divisions within Iranian society by vilifying minority groups and opposition factions.

B. Regional Destabilization

 • By promoting its proxies and undermining rival governments, the IRGC contributes to regional instability and fuels ongoing conflicts.

 • Its propaganda reinforces sectarian divides, particularly between Shia and Sunni communities.

C. Global Challenges

 • Disinformation campaigns undermine trust in democratic institutions and disrupt international efforts to address Iran’s human rights abuses and nuclear ambitions.

 • The IRGC’s narratives often exacerbate tensions between nations, increasing the risk of conflict.

6. Countering the IRGC’s Propaganda Machine

A. Supporting Independent Media

 • International organizations should provide resources to Iranian journalists and media outlets operating outside the regime’s control.

 • Platforms like BBC Persian and Iran International play a vital role in countering state propaganda.

B. Combatting Disinformation

 • Social media platforms must actively identify and remove IRGC-linked disinformation campaigns.

 • Governments should collaborate with tech companies to enhance transparency and disrupt IRGC influence online.

C. Amplifying Opposition Voices

 • Global efforts should focus on amplifying the voices of Iranian activists, human rights defenders, and civil society organizations.

 • Support for digital tools that bypass censorship, such as VPNs and encrypted messaging apps, can empower dissenters.

D. Holding the IRGC Accountable

 • Sanctions targeting IRGC-affiliated media outlets and cyber units can limit their ability to operate.

 • International bodies should document and expose the IRGC’s propaganda activities, ensuring accountability.

Conclusion

The IRGC’s propaganda machine is a powerful tool for manipulating public opinion, suppressing dissent, and advancing Iran’s geopolitical ambitions. By controlling media narratives and leveraging cyber tactics, the IRGC has maintained its grip on power while destabilizing regional and global security. Countering this influence requires coordinated international action, support for independent media, and robust efforts to expose and disrupt disinformation campaigns. Only through sustained vigilance can the global community mitigate the IRGC’s ability to manipulate perceptions and perpetuate its agenda.