The notion of the US as an honest broker was always a dubious one, particularly given its largely unquestioning support for Israel, but its recent actions towards Iran shatter the concept completely

The US security umbrella will focus on Iran's direct threats, but regional states should deal with Tehran's residual proxy groups in the region

Tehran appreciates the rhetoric from Islamabad, but to succeed in its war with Israel, it needs tangible support and reliable allies, something Pakistan may find difficult to muster

Israel's strikes on Iran have turned a simmering rivalry into a volatile confrontation, fuelling fears of a wider regional war with unpredictable consequences

The Israeli strikes aren't about facilities or centrifuges, but regime change

Trump and Netanyahu disagree on whether to use military force to stop Iran's nuclear programme, and Israel's punishing attack on Iran places the region on a worrisome trajectory

While Israel's attack dealt a severe blow to Iran's military and nuclear infrastructure, the long-term impact remains uncertain as Tehran's potential for retaliation introduces new risks

Each side's actions carry risks of misjudgment, miscalculation, and the possibility that the conflict could escalate beyond the planned declared limits

The attack comes after a frenzy of speculation that Israel was planning to take military action against Iran's nuclear facilities