It would be very easy to start a war with Iran and there is no question of whether the United States is the stronger of the two militarily with its superior airpower. However, war is about outcome and achieving goals that neutralise the opposition.

Ending a war with Iran will not be as easy because it is not a case as was in Iraq or Libya, where they toppled a dictator. Iran is an empire that for the most part is a democracy; an attack on Iran would be considered as an attack on Shia and would trigger an asymmetric war throughout the region and possibly also in America or anywhere American citizens reside.

It would look more like a world war than a war with Iran.

Donald Trump repeatedly says his only concern is keeping nuclear weapons out of Iran. The best deterrent was what they already had in place. A weak deal is better than no deal at all; in any event, all Iran wanted is to be on a level playing field and to enjoy normal diplomacy and trade with the rest of the world.

The media bias is palpable. Imagine a foreign country flying military surveillance aircraft 50,000 feet above the American Atlantic or Pacific coastline. Both are international waters, but that aircraft would be shut down immediately. America has declared its intent, and as a testament to its intent has brought its navy to the area, has moved troops to the region, then flies a drone over the coastline. And the gullible public don’t see this as a hostile action but rather as a right to tell a country intended for strike they should be permitted to do all the necessary reconnaissance because any defensive action by them will be treated as hostile?

We are not only going to bomb you but you must sit passively and watch us do it.

None of these activities will be viewed in isolation, I am very sure Kim Jong Un will see these actions as a further reason for continuing and perhaps accelerating North Korea’s nuclear programme. Having witnessed what happened in Libya and now the bullying of Iran, what incentive would they have to become a benign denuclearised military nation?

The whole world is a stage and with technology everyone is able to see. While there may be an official narrative, the truth and the world of opinion can no longer be controlled, and are open to everyone’s scrutiny.

Trump did the right move by calling off the strike because he averted a disaster that within minutes would have put the world’s economy in chaos. Now he should continue to do the right thing and go back to the table to reaffirm the nuclear treaty with Iran. The Islamic republic would be only too willing to re-enter the commercial trade relations because it does not want war. There is a sectarian conflict in the region, which does not need outside provocateurs taking sides.

This episode is a living example of the effects that the role and ethical position of American leaders have on influencing foreign policy. The Bush leaders demonised many countries as the “axis of evil”. The Obama Administration tried to give respect to those same countries and offered constructive engagement. The Trump Administration, seemingly oblivious to the nature of global affairs, appears more hellbent on reversing anything that Barack Obama did even to the point of absurdity.

Hopefully, common sense prevails and this becomes a lesson in life rather than a travesty.