The world is now in bona fide tenterhooks mode — i.e., nervously waiting for Iran’s promised military retaliation for Israel’s illegal bombing of Iran’s Consulate in Damascus a week ago. The 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations is unambiguous:

The premises of a diplomatic mission are inviolable and must not be entered by the host country except by permission of the head of the mission; likewise, the host country must never search the premises, may not seize its documents or property, and must protect the mission from intrusion or damage (Article 22). Article 30 extends this provision to the private residence of diplomatic agents.

So much for the “international rules-based order.” The United States, Britain and France blocked a proposed UNSC statement drafted by Russia that would have condemned Israel’s unlawful action. This sent the world a clear message — the Vienna Convention is worthless. Just days after the UNSC failed to uphold that Convention, Ecuador stormed Mexico’s Embassy in Quito and kidnapped an Ecuadorian politician who had been given sanctuary by Mexico.

Joe Biden has sent the head of U.S. Central Command to Israel to coordinate defenses and possible responses to an Iranian attack. But the ability of the U.S. and Israel to respond with an air campaign has hit some roadblocks:

Qatar and Kuwait notified the US that they will not allow bases on their territory to be used for attacks against Iran – diplomatic sources.

Turkey informed the United States that they will not be allowed to use their airspace against Iran.