Boris Johnson this morning finds the glow of his election victory has faded fast in the face of an international crisis .
The Prime Minister’s strengths lie in dispensing optimism and bonhomie.
These qualities jar badly when he’s charged with the serious duties of government, which explains, in part, why he struggled in the role of Foreign Secretary.
The lowest point of his time in the Foreign Office was the moment he endangered the life of Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe.
It is perhaps an unfortunate coincidence that Iran could now shape the tone of his premiership.
Decisions taken by the Prime Minister in the next few days have implications for the safety of British forces and nationals in the Middle East and this country’s geopolitical alliances.
Johnson’s statement last night was carefully worded so as not to antagonise Donald Trump but made clear the UK, when it comes to Iran, remains aligned with France and Germany.
Britain now finds itself the potential victim of collateral damage in a conflict it never sought.
The UK, along with the US, France, Germany, China and Russia, was instrumental in the trying to bring Iran back from the cold with the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action nuclear deal.
This was sabotaged by Trump for no other apparent reason than he resented the fact that it had been drawn up by his predecessor Barack Obama.
US foreign policy is dictated by Presidential pique.
This is not to say that Iran is blameless.
The regime played fast and loose with the conditions on the dismantling of its nuclear programme and has been engaged covert and no so covert military operations across the Middle East.
But there was a chance for the country to be brought back into the international fold and that has now been lost because of Trump’s intemperate actions - actions made all the more dangerous by the fact there appears to be no strategy for US policy in the Middle East.
It is an irony which will not be lost on Johnson that Britain may find its allies in Europe more reliable than fickle and irrational occupant of the White House.
Meanwhile, Labour’s National Executive Committee meets today to agree the timetable and structure of the leadership contest.
There are fears the Corbynites will use their dominance of the committee to bolster the prospects of favoured candidate Rebecca Long Bailey (who has still not declared she’s running) by going for a short contest and hiking fees for affiliated supporters to prevent moderates from signing up to vote for a centrist contender.
Today's agenda:
Boris Johnson holds meeting of senior ministers to discuss Iran crisis.
12pm - Labour’s NEC meets to agree timetable for leadership contest.
Angela Rayner launches her campaign for the Labour deputy leadership.
The House of Commons is not sitting.
What I am reading:
Kevin Maguire on Donald Trump’s dangerous war-mongering
