Nigeria, March 9 -- The ongoing war against Iran by the United States (codenamed "Operation Epic Fury") and Israel has wrought considerable damage to the Islamic Republic. Even if arguments could be found for targeting the leadership and critical infrastructure of a belligerent state, collateral loss of life and limbs will always be difficult to walk by. "Was Iran a belligerent in this war?" is an awkward question.

Before this new outbreak of hostilities, there were three reasons why Iran engendered concerns in its neighbourhood. It had an advanced nuclear energy research programme and had enriched uranium to just below weapons-grade - unnecessary for civilian use, but, if you add the delivery vehicles fixes that are needed, still some d...