The White House blinked. Tehran got its nuclear concessions. The deal is done, and Washington has effectively handed the Middle East to the mullahs on a silver platter.
Now the question is: who steps into the void? Don't hold your breath for the EU to make a move. They're still trying to figure out which way the wind blows.
But here's the real story. Downing Street has been quietly consulting with Gulf allies, with the Foreign Office drawing up contingency plans. I've heard from a reliable source that Number 10 sees this as a moment for post-Brexit Britain to reassert itself on the world stage.
Tory backbenchers are already sharpening their knives. Expect some to demand a parliamentary vote on any new commitments. And the Labour frontbench?
They'll be watching from the sidelines, torn between anti-Americanism and fear of being seen as weak on Iran. The PM is walking a tightrope. He needs to present a robust response without committing to another forever war.
That means non-lethal aid, intelligence sharing, and diplomatic muscle. But is that enough? Doubtful.
The region is a powder keg. Iran's proxies are already testing the limits of the new deal. Saudi Arabia and Israel are privately furious.
They see this as a betrayal. And they're looking to London. Can we deliver?
The Treasury will be sweating. Defence spending is already stretched thin. The Royal Navy hasn't got enough ships to patrol the Gulf and the Baltic.
But Boris Johnson loves a grand gesture. Don't rule out a surprise announcement at the next G7 summit. The real game is in the shadows.
Watch for leaks about a new security pact with the Gulf states. And keep an eye on the backbenchers. They smell blood.
If the PM gets this wrong, his leadership is on the line.
