Nournews: In the early hours of Sunday, bombs and missiles from U.S. warplanes and navy vessels struck Iran’s nuclear facilities—not just weapons of iron and fire, but messengers of a far deeper threat: in today’s world, neither UN authority holds sway, nor is congressional approval required, nor do treaties retain any credibility. In a global order where leaders act with unprecedented unilateralism, trust becomes an abandoned casualty.

The recent U.S. military strike on Iran was carried out without Security Council authorization, without Congressional approval, and cannot even be defended under preemptive self-defense. The assault was unilateral, arbitrary, and blatantly violated the UN Charter. If a country like Iran had done this, it would instantly face waves of condemnation, sanctions, and threats. But when the perpetrator is a global power with a media and diplomatic arsenal, global voices are stifled—and some Western outlets even describe it as a “necessary action.”

The collapse of political ethics: A new global Machiavellianism

Trump’s behavior shows a shameless and explicit return to Machiavellianism—prioritizing power over rights, and personal gain over global values. His withdrawal from the JCPOA in 2018, the killing of an Iranian commander on third-country soil, and now the strike on IAEA-sanctioned facilities—all confirm that, like Machiavelli, Trump believes the ends justify the means.

In this worldview, the world is a jungle where the strongest write the rules—with no accountability or pretense of morality. Institutions like the UN, IAEA, the Security Council, and even the Hague have remained silent. Their silence isn’t mere passivity—it’s the collapse of institutions meant to safeguard global peace and justice.

When a permanent member of the Security Council attacks another country without the very Council’s permission, what credibility remains for the United Nations Charter? This bitter reality carries a clear message: if international institutions are not supported by the world’s powers, they turn into empty and meaningless shells.

This bitter reality means nothing but the fact that the spirit of political Machiavellianism has permeated international relations.

Trust is dead, but truth will survive

The most profound consequence of such conduct is structural distrust in the international system. Countries realize there are no guarantees: treaties can be torn to shreds with a signature; safeguards don’t prevent bombardment; NPT membership or IAEA compliance offers no immunity. In such a world, every state will feel compelled to bolster its own deterrent capabilities—leading to an arms race, intensified regional conflicts, and perpetual global instability.

Iran, rightly, spent years enhancing its legitimacy through engagement with the IAEA and negotiations with the P5+1. But the answer to that path was a military strike. Now the question is: in a world where law is impotent and morality is sidelined, how is security to be constructed? Perhaps the time has come for independent and oppressed states to turn away from hollow promises and toward regional and indigenous security frameworks. Instead of hoping for resolutions, they must rely on genuine allies and national deterrence.

The recent U.S. strike on Iran was more than a military operation—it was the obituary of trust in international relations. And when trust dies, sooner or later, every actor—no matter how powerful—will fall victim. In a world bereft of ethics and ruled by Machiavellianism, all countries will eventually face the isolation that Iran stands in today: alone, under fire, and defenseless. But this time, the Iran that remains standing will raise its voice for truth from the ashes of injustice.