El-Sayed Faces Scrutiny Over Refusal to Condemn Iran's Revolutionary Guard

Michigan Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed was pressed this week by a student over his stance on Iran's human rights abuses and its Revolutionary Guard. Iman Dashti, a student at Michigan University whose family has reportedly faced persecution from the Iranian regime, questioned El-Sayed at a town hall, asking him multiple times to denounce the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

Dashti specifically asked if El-Sayed would condemn the IRGC, described as responsible for the deaths of thousands of Iranian civilians and hundreds of Americans. The candidate responded with general statements about the U.S. avoiding the role of "world's policeman" and the importance of solidarity with democratic movements, rather than a direct condemnation of the IRGC.

This exchange occurred amidst broader criticism of El-Sayed's foreign policy positions. In leaked audio, El-Sayed reportedly instructed staff not to comment on the death of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, stating that "there are a lot of people in Dearborn who are sad today." This comment was interpreted by some as a calculation based on the political sentiment of a segment of his constituents.

El-Sayed's broader foreign policy views have drawn attention. He advocates for cutting off U.S. aid to Israel and halting military equipment sales, contrasting this with support for military aid to Ukraine. He has drawn a distinction, asserting that Ukraine was attacked in violation of international law, implying that the actions against Israel, including the killing of over 1,200 people and missile attacks by Iran prior to Operation Epic Fury, do not constitute a violation of international law in his view.

Further scrutiny has focused on El-Sayed's past statements and associations. He has been criticized for a 2021 tweet commemorating 9/11, which drew a parallel between the U.S. actions in the Middle East and the terrorist attacks, suggesting America's actions caused comparable or greater devastation. Additionally, his past appearances with Hasan Piker, a figure who has reportedly defended Islamic terrorist groups and communist regimes, have been highlighted as evidence of his alignment with controversial viewpoints.