Nigeria, June 30 -- The strikes, on 22 June, by the United States of America on facilities associated with Iran's nuclear operations in Natanz, Fordow and Isfahan had all the wrong resonances. By threatening to extend both the reach and intensity of the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran, the operation, named "Midnight Hammer," further escalated tensions in the Middle East.

Yet, this might be far from the beginning of World War III as some currently fear, if one is convinced of the longer-term sanctity of the ceasefire between Israel and Iran, announced by President Trump the day after the US strikes, even while this was initially breached by both sides. And, there are threats of further violations of the proclaimed 'truce' in the ...