A student in Michigan challenged U.S. Senate hopeful Abdul El-Sayed regarding his views on Iran during a town hall event on Wednesday. The student referenced his family's alleged suffering under the Iranian government before persistently questioning the candidate on his solidarity with Iranians opposing the regime.
Iman Dashti, who identified as a person of Persian heritage, informed El-Sayed at the University of Michigan event that members of his family had endured hardships under the Iranian government. Dashti recounted, "My cousin was hunted in the streets of Iran by the IRGC because her hijab wasn't on right." He further alleged that his uncle was condemned to death and subjected to 50 lashes by the Iranian authorities.
Dashti then confronted El-Sayed about a previously surfaced audio recording from earlier this year. In the recording, El-Sayed expressed reluctance to comment on the passing of former Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, citing that "there are a lot of people in Dearborn who are sad today."
"That quiet response created a significant void within our community," Dashti told El-Sayed on Wednesday.
Dashti directly asked El-Sayed if he regretted his earlier silence, if he would disavow individuals who organized vigils in support of Khamenei, and whether he stood "unequivocally against the IRGC" and the current Iranian government.
Confrontation Over Iran Policy
El-Sayed replied by asserting that the United States has frequently taken on the role of "the world's policeman," while also affirming his support for global movements advocating for democracy and freedom. "One can disagree with the governance of a foreign country. One can stand in solidarity with freedom and democracy movements," El-Sayed stated.
He went on to oppose U.S.-initiated regime change in Iran. El-Sayed affirmed, "I will always stand for and with democratic movements, always." He added, "But I also don't believe that we were in the right to go to war to topple the government of Iran. It was not our responsibility to do. It is the responsibility of the people of Iran to decide what their leadership should look like."
Dashti reiterated his query, asking, "You stand with us?"
El-Sayed reiterated, "I will always stand with movements for freedom and democracy," before once more cautioning against U.S. intervention in regime change efforts. He emphasized, "We should not be in the business of regime change."
El-Sayed further elaborated moments later, "I want freedom and democracy for the people of Iran, no question. But I want that to be done by the people of Iran, coming together as a community to decide how to create democratic change in their society."
Broader Campaign Discussions
El-Sayed, who secured the Democratic Senate primary victory in Michigan in August, is vying for the seat being vacated by outgoing Democratic Senator Gary Peters, facing off against Republican former Representative Mike Rogers. This electoral contest has attracted considerable national scrutiny and financial investment.
The discussion surrounding Iran was among several significant interactions during Wednesday's "Students vs. Billionaires" town hall, held at El-Sayed's former university.
During a segment on public health infrastructure, El-Sayed seemingly offered a forecast regarding the party and gender of the individual he anticipates will win the presidency in 2028. El-Sayed remarked, "I'm looking forward to working with the next Democratic president when she takes office in 2029," expressing his hope to collaborate with that future administration on modernizing the country's public health systems. He did not specify the individual he envisioned.
These comments were made as former Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic presidential nominee for 2024, visited Michigan to campaign alongside El-Sayed. Harris has not declared any intention to run for president in 2028.
Additionally, El-Sayed directed criticism towards President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance at the event. El-Sayed stated, "Donald Trump and JD Vance can't seem to keep my name out their mouth. They don't really know how to say it, though, which is fine, because I believe in teaching opportunities."
Trump and other prominent national Republicans have frequently targeted El-Sayed throughout the midterm campaign, prompting El-Sayed to respond with criticism of the president.
From his campaign, a statement reiterated, "Abdul has also been clear that the United States should not be in the business of spending our tax dollars abroad on regime change wars that take our service members’ lives, waste our tax dollars and raise our prices. He believes American taxpayer dollars are best spent here at home to invest in infrastructure, education and healthcare."
