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Dearborn Today
By the People, for the People
Michigan Senate Candidate Avoids Comments on Iranian Leader's Death
Abdul El-Sayed says he doesn't want to comment on the situation surrounding the passing of Ayatollah Khamenei.
Mar. 30, 2026 at 11:11pm
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The muted, somber mood following the death of Iran's longtime Supreme Leader reflects the complex geopolitical and community dynamics at play.Dearborn TodayDemocratic U.S. Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed has declined to comment on the recent death of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, stating that there are many people in Dearborn, Michigan who are saddened by the news and that he does not think it is worth addressing the situation.
Why it matters
Khamenei's death is a significant geopolitical event that has major implications for the Middle East and U.S. foreign policy. However, El-Sayed, who is running for Senate in Michigan, has chosen to avoid weighing in on the matter, likely to avoid alienating voters in the large Iranian-American community in Dearborn.
The details
Following reports of Khamenei's death, conservative commentator Pete Hegseth speculated that the new Iranian supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, had released a written statement because he is "likely disfigured." In response, El-Sayed stated that he does not want to comment on Khamenei at all, saying "There are a lot of people in Dearborn who are sad today, so I just don't want to comment on Khamenei at all I don't think it's worth even touching that."
- Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of Iran, passed away on March 30, 2026.
The players
Abdul El-Sayed
A Democratic U.S. Senate candidate from Michigan who has declined to comment on the death of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei
The Supreme Leader of Iran who passed away in March 2026.
Mojtaba Khamenei
The new Supreme Leader of Iran following the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Pete Hegseth
A conservative commentator who speculated that the new Iranian supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, had released a written statement because he is "likely disfigured."
What they’re saying
“There are a lot of people in Dearborn who are sad today, so I just don't want to comment on Khamenei at all I don't think it's worth even touching that.”
— Abdul El-Sayed, Democratic U.S. Senate Candidate
“Mojtaba Khamenei released a written statement because he is "likely disfigured.”
— Pete Hegseth, Conservative Commentator
The takeaway
El-Sayed's decision to avoid commenting on Khamenei's death reflects the political sensitivity of the issue, particularly given the large Iranian-American community in Dearborn. His stance highlights the challenges politicians face in navigating complex geopolitical events while maintaining support from diverse constituencies.
