Trump’s declaration of a “very successful attack” on Iranian nuclear facilities instantly shattered any illusion of stability. In Tehran, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi condemned the strike as “outrageous” and “criminal,” warning that Iran would respond under its right to self-defense. The language was cold, legalistic—and full of menace. “Reserves all options” was heard in every capital as a thinly veiled threat of escalation, maybe far beyond the region.
In Jerusalem and Washington, some hailed it as a historic victory, a decisive blow against a long-feared nuclear threat. But in European capitals, the mood was grim. Diplomats spoke of a world slipping back toward the brink, of treaties turned to ash overnight. At the United Nations, ambassadors weighed every word, knowing a single misstep could turn a dangerous moment into irreversible catastrophe. The world, once again, waited to see who would move next.