Republican Senator Ted Cruz rejected the debate invitation from Hossein Mousavian, a former Iranian regime diplomat, and stated that he should be expelled from the United States.
On Tuesday, April 29, Cruz responded to Mousavian—who formerly served as the regime’s ambassador to Germany and is currently a researcher at Princeton University—after Mousavian invited him to a debate or to read his books. Cruz wrote:
“I try not to be in the room with people linked to Iranian terrorists who have murdered dozens of dissidents.”
I try not to be in the room with people linked to Iranian terrorists who have murdered dozens of dissidents.
Your books are unreadable, and the only debate you should be having is with DHS agents, at the end of which you should be deported. https://t.co/EdYh8U7qPb
— Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) April 29, 2025
Tensions between Cruz and Mousavian began on Monday, when Cruz, in an interview with Fox News, called on Princeton University to expel Mousavian, arguing that his presence created insecurity for students.
Cruz, himself a Princeton graduate, said Mousavian’s presence caused unease among students and accused the university of neglecting the health and safety of the academic environment.
He stated that associating with someone close to the Iranian regime’s terror campaigns reflects a dangerous ideological bias within the university, which was one of the reasons the Trump administration reconsidered federal funding to Princeton.
Congress Begins Investigation into Iranian Regime’s Influence at Princeton University
In response to Ted Cruz’s remarks, Hossein Mousavian posted on the social media platform X, rejecting the accusations and inviting Senator Cruz to read his books and participate in a public debate. He said such a discussion could explore what he called “the facts” and leave the judgment to the American public.
Cruz rejected the invitation and said: “Your books are unreadable, and the only debate you should be having is with DHS agents, at the end of which you should be deported.”
In his post on X, Mousavian referred to what he called his “academic background” in Iran-U.S. relations and emphasized that all his research has been in support of peace, disarmament, and regional de-escalation.
Previous Protests and Pressure on Princeton University
The recent reactions are only part of a broader wave of protests and pressure against Hossein Mousavian’s presence at Princeton University.
The media outlet Semafor revealed in an investigative report in April 2023 that during the Obama administration’s de-escalation efforts, Princeton University sought to play a central role in improving diplomatic relations between Iran and the U.S.
According to the report, Princeton had launched an Iran Studies Center, invited Mousavian as a researcher, and even developed plans for student exchange programs with Iran.
Mousavian, who is affiliated with Princeton University, is accused of involvement in the assassination of 24 Iranian dissidents in Europe during the 1990s.
