The initial strike against Iran’s nuclear facilities and their internal champions has been remarkably successful from a tactical and operational standpoint. But all sides will need to think deeply about their next move since the stakes on both sides are so high. Much depends on Iran’s wider response, the duration and intensity of further Israeli action and international involvement – especially from the US.

At first glance, key elements of Iran’s nuclear/military infrastructure have been crippled, whilst avoiding a major nuclear breach or uncontrollable escalation. The avoidance of civilian casualties also sends a clear message to the benighted Iranian people – we are after your oppressive leadership, not you. It is a message that the mullahs and their surviving senior military leadership will have to address urgently.

There is one thing I might have done differently if I were in charge. In 1944 the RAF in Burma were confident that they had the coordinates of Japanese General Mutaguchi’s HQ and sought permission to eliminate him. Field Marshal Slim responded: “under no circumstances. He is an asset. I can read him like a book”.