After decades of the Iranian terrorist dictatorship voicing grave threats to global security, Israel and the United States have taken decisive action to mitigate the threat posed by Iran’s nuclear weapons program. What was once perceived as a suicidal scenario for our world, a circumstance that could incite a nuclear conflict capable of annihilating humanity, ultimately proved to be a conflict that produced nothing more than prophetic, but ultimately empty, threats.

Within seven days of initiating its bombing campaign against Iran, Israel rapidly established aerial dominance with minimal difficulty and effectively neutralized one-third of Iran’s offensive and defensive capabilities. After the theocratic leadership was incapacitated, the United States intervened and deployed 14 GPU-57 bunker buster bombs on three key nuclear weapon production sites in Fordow, Isfahan and Natanz.

This, of course, demonstrated that Iran talked a big game but possessed minimal capabilities. Nevertheless, Americans continue to harbor broader fears. Might Russia or another adversary intervene and attack Israel and the United States for instigating such an attack? The response to that question thus far appears to be negative. Although Russia established a strategic military collaboration with Iran last year, it did not incorporate a mutual defense clause, meaning that Russia is not obligated to defend Iran when provoked.

Yet, Americans remain justifiably apprehensive that our world, presently extremely volatile and potentially on the brink of nuclear conflict, could see an incident of this nature incite a broader confrontation not only in the Middle East but globally.

So, is the likelihood of nuclear war high and imminent? The answer varies based on who you ask. The United States, Israel and a significant portion of Western society have asserted for decades that Iran is mere years or weeks from emerging as a nuclear threat. The same type of concern prompted the United States to go to war with Iraq in 2003, ultimately revealing that the intelligence was erroneous and that Iraq lacked nuclear capabilities. In a certain regard, we find ourselves in a similar predicament; yet, it is certain that, although Iran may not have been on the verge of achieving nuclear power, they were, at the very least, advancing their nuclear weapons program. How close they were is a question that we don’t yet have an answer to just yet, but may be clarified in the coming weeks.

Israel asserted that Iran had achieved 60% enrichment. The Israeli ambassador to the United States stated that the distinction between 60% enrichment and a nuclear weapon is really a minor aspect. Consequently, they say, Iran could have attained nuclear capabilities far sooner than anticipated.

China and Russia have been largely silent; yet, like with Trump, we lack insight into their thoughts or ideas for potential actions. Approximately one hour before the United States’ assault on Iran’s nuclear facilities, the president expressed his willingness to engage in conversation instead of resorting to military action. Clearly, that was just smoke and mirrors.

Many in the United States, including military personnel, express criticism or hesitation toward entering another Middle Eastern war. Think back to when the U.S. invaded Iraq and ousted Saddam Hussein. The ousting of Saddam, a tyrannical ruler, resulted in considerable instability, an extended civil war and a power vacuum that has had enduring repercussions on Iraq’s political and social structure.

Trump seems to have recognized that opposition by pushing hard for a ceasefire between Israel and Iran, then vociferously lashing out over alleged violations of the pause.

Iran cannot be allowed to continue to do what it has done for decades.

Proxy wars and terrorism and random rocket fire… it all needs to end.

What was most striking to me in reading the news accounts this weekend were the stories from Tehran businesses. They are worried their revenue is drying up that they’ll need to lay off employees. This is talk of a thriving domestic market, with employable citizens desiring peace and all that comes with it.

Iran does not need to be known as a war monger. Its people should desire peace for their own prosperity.

Ultimately, we do not need another protracted conflict, nor do we need U.S. involvement. We are currently in an era where the public has become fatigued by Middle Eastern wars and the relentless cycles of bloodshed they generate.

Armstrong Williams (www.armstrongwilliams.com; @arightside) is a political analyst, syndicated columnist and owner of the broadcasting company, Howard Stirk Holdings. He is also part owner of The Baltimore Sun.