As Israel and Iran continue their conflict, Arizona’s large Iranian-American community is monitoring events closely.
Freshman U.S. Rep. Yassamin Ansari, D-Phoenix, is the daughter of Iranian immigrants who fled the county after the 1979 revolution. As the first Iranian-American Democrat in Congress, Ansari agrees there should be regime change, but does not condone the U.S. getting involved.
"Iranian people are different than their government. The regime in Iran is brutal. It is an authoritarian dictatorship and Iran should not have a nuclear weapon. But I’m very concerned about U.S. escalation in this conflict, U.S.’s role in a potential war," Ansari said.
Ansari says President Donald Trump needs authorization from Congress to declare war, and she is particularly concerned about his foreign policy decisions and mixed social media messages; including instructing Iranians to evacuate Tehran.
An estimated 25,000 Iranian-Americans live in Arizona.
-
Arizona Corporation Commission candidate Ralph Heap is facing another campaign finance complaint. Now he’s accused of failing to disclose who paid to collect thousands of voter signatures his campaign used to qualify for the primary election ballot. -
One year after it rejected Project Blue amid massive outcry from the community, the Tucson City Council has adopted new regulations for large scale data center developments. -
A judge says the summary of Proposition 145 that Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes wrote is illegal. -
Health insurance companies in the Affordable Care Act marketplace are seeking an average premium increase of 25% in Arizona for 2027. -
A new poll commissioned by AARP shows Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs holding a sizable 8 point lead over Republican Congressman Andy Biggs in Arizona’s gubernatorial race.
