Just as the world tries to catch its breath from another tense chapter in the Middle East, a Georgetown University professor has stirred backlash for a post many saw as deeply inappropriate—if not dangerous.
As ceasefire news emerged between Iran and Israel, Dr. Jonathan Brown found himself at the center of a firestorm over comments he made online.
Professor Suggests “Symbolic Strike” on US Base, Then Walks It Back
Dr. Brown, who chairs Islamic Civilization studies at Georgetown’s School of Foreign Service, made a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Sunday suggesting that Iran should carry out a “symbolic strike” on a U.S. military base in response to President Trump’s bombing of Iranian nuclear facilities.
His post, laced with sarcasm and harsh language, also made crude references to pro-Israel advocacy groups and past Middle East conflicts. The backlash was swift—and intense.
Apology Follows and Account Gets Locked
Facing mounting outrage, Brown deleted the post and issued an apology.
He clarified that he didn’t intend to promote violence, adding that he has two close family members in the U.S. military and would never want to see harm come to American service members—or anyone else.
“I was calling for de-escalation,” he told Fox News Digital later, comparing his intent to Iran’s limited response after the 2020 U.S. killing of Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani.
Brown claimed that kind of restrained, no-casualty response could defuse tensions rather than inflame them.
Georgetown University Distances Itself and Launches Review
Georgetown wasn’t having it. In a strongly worded statement, the university said Brown’s remarks don’t represent its values and that the incident is under review.
“We are appalled,” the school said. “We take our community’s concerns seriously and condemn language that goes against Georgetown’s core principles.”
Spotlight on Brown’s Family Ties Draws More Heat
Beyond the content of Brown’s tweet, attention quickly turned to his personal life.
He’s married to Laila Al-Arian, an Al Jazeera journalist and daughter of Sami Al-Arian—a former University of South Florida professor who was deported in 2015 after pleading guilty to aiding the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, a designated terrorist group.
While Brown himself hasn’t been accused of any such links, critics online were quick to connect dots and amplify scrutiny.
Trump Declares Ceasefire Amid Conflicting Signals from Iran and Israel
While this controversy was playing out online, President Trump made a surprise announcement: Iran and Israel have agreed to a ceasefire.
He posted on Truth Social Monday that a deal had been reached to end the “12-day war” and that it would go into effect within hours.
Neither Iran nor Israel confirmed the deal publicly at the time, but Trump congratulated all parties involved and praised what he framed as a step toward regional peace.
Trump Downplays Iran’s Strike on US Base in Qatar
Trump also addressed Iran’s recent retaliatory strike on the U.S. Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar.
According to the president, no American troops were harmed, thanks to advanced warning from Iran that allowed for an evacuation.
“Perhaps Iran can now proceed to peace and harmony in the region,” Trump wrote.
In typical fashion, he added: “CONGRATULATIONS WORLD, IT’S TIME FOR PEACE!”
Iran Still Warning More Could Come
Despite the celebratory tone from Trump, Iran signaled that its retaliation might not be over.
The missile strike on Al Udeid was just one response to the earlier U.S. bombing of Iranian nuclear labs in Fordo, Isfahan, and Natanz.
Some world leaders were quick to condemn Iran’s actions and express solidarity with Qatar, which is now considering its own potential response to the attack on its territory.
World Watches and Waits as Tensions Simmer
While Trump’s declaration of peace might resonate with his base, many remain skeptical about how long this uneasy calm will last.
The situation between Iran, Israel, and the U.S. remains fragile, and any misstep could reignite hostilities.
For now, the world is holding its breath—and Georgetown is left managing a PR crisis of its own.