Meet the Moment: Crisis and Conflict in Iran and the Gulf States
Event Details
Meet the Moment: Crisis and Conflict in Iran and the Gulf States
The Middle East stands at a critical juncture as escalating regional hostilities and internal volatility in Iran threaten to destabilize the broader Gulf region, while a worsening human rights and humanitarian crisis occurs within the country and beyond. Since the launch of the joint U.S.-Israeli strikes in late February 2026, geopolitical tensions have hit a high point. The threat of expanded ground combat looms within a critical energy corridor, while continued oppression alongside the damage to key shipping routes is leaving millions vulnerable to violence and humanitarian hardship.
These intersecting crises are unfolding against a backdrop of significant U.S. military buildup in the region, amidst the recent collapse of extensive ceasefire negotiations in Islamabad. As the U.S. threatens a military blockade in the Strait of Hormuz, the risk of regional spillover threatens the security of neighboring states and the global economy. For the Iranian people, particularly women and human rights defenders, the shrinking of civic spaces and the escalation of military presence have created a risky environment for all.
To meet the moment, the Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace and Security convened a virtual discussion to examine the dual impact of this conflict. Nazanin Ansari discussed the humanitarian situation and what she is hearing from the Iranian people. Dr. Dania Thafer discussed the war’s implications for the Gulf States and the impact of U.S. intervention. The conversation explored urgent actions needed to protect civilians, particularly women, and what to expect as this conflict progresses.
To learn more about GIWPS’s analysis of the situation in Iran, explore insights from our Executive Director, Ambassador Melanne Verveer in a Q&A with Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service and read an analysis by GIWPS Conflict and Security Fellow Dr. Jessica Anania and Research Fellow Dr. Rachel George in Ms. Magazine on the impact of war in the Middle East on the global aid system. For the latest updates, visit the Iran page on our WPS Conflict Tracker.
Featuring
Nazenin Ansari
Managing Editor, Kayhan London and Kayhan Life
Dania Thafer
Executive Director, Gulf International Forum
Amb. Melanne Verveer
Executive Director, The Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace and Security
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