The UK’s Labour government was probably thankful that Donald Trump found a way to strike Iran’s nuclear facilities without using British bases. After the June 22 attacks occurred, London was quick to emphasize that, though it had been informed in advance, the UK played no role.

The sudden fall of Bashar Assad’s regime in Syria last month has inevitably prompted speculation about the impact on the wider Middle East. Many have, understandably, concluded that this is a major loss for Iran.