WASHINGTON (May 26, 2026) – The U.S. recently launched new strikes on Iran, specifically targeting missile sites and boats. According to the U.S. Central Command, the strikes were in self-defense and designed to protect U.S. troops from threats posed by Iranian forces.
In response, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said they shot at a US drone and a fighter jet that entered Iranian airspace. The IRGC stated they have the right to retaliate to any “violation” of the ceasefire.
The U.S. and Iran are currently working towards a peace agreement, but issues concerning Iran’s nuclear weapon usage are delaying the negotiations.
For more analysis on these developments, please consider Gordon Gray, the Kuwait Professor of Gulf and Arabian Peninsula Affairs at the GW Elliott School of International Affairs. Gray worked for the U.S. government for 35 years. Gray’s public service included U.S. Ambassador to Tunisia from 2009-2012, Senior Advisory to the Ambassador in Iraq 2008-2009, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs from 2005- 2008. His other foreign assignments included Egypt (where he served as Deputy Chief of Mission from 2002 until 2005), Canada, Jordan, Pakistan, and Morocco, where he began his career as a Peace Corps volunteer. He twice received the Presidential Meritorious Service award.
To schedule an interview, please contact Nadia Payne at nadia [dot] payne
gwu [dot] edu (nadia[dot]payne[at]gwu[dot]edu) or GW media at gwmediagwu [dot] edu (gwmedia[at]gwu[dot]edu).
-GW-