Until Saturday night, the world waited to see whether President Donald Trump would join Israels campaign against Irans nuclear infrastructure. Now we have the answer.In a televised address from the White House, President Trump called the strikes a "spectacular military success" and a "historic moment for the United States, Israel, and the world." He confirmed that FordowIrans deeply buried nuclear enrichment site near Qomwas among the targets, and warned, "There are many targets left." His message was clear: Iran must "make peace or face tragedy far greater than we have witnessed over the last eight days."The U.S. has struck decisively. Whether the strike succeeds in halting Irans nuclear programas the president boldly claimsremains to be seen. What is clear is that the geopolitical fuse is lit, and the consequences are just beginning.Was There Clear Justification?So far, the administration has not provided public evidence that Iran was mere "weeks away" from building a nuclear bomb, as the White House press secretary alleged. That claim may have helped justify the strike, but it rests more on assumption than on firm intelligence.TRUMP ADDRESSES NATION ON 'SPECTACULAR MILITARY SUCCESS' OF US STRIKES ON IRANIAN NUCLEAR FACILITIESYes, Iran has enriched uranium to near weapons-grade levelsbut that alone does not make a bomb. Tehran still needs to master warhead design, detonator synchronization, reentry shielding, and delivery systems. There is no verified proof it has done so.As I wrote for Fox News last week, bombs can destroy facilitiesbut they cannot erase knowledge. Many of Irans scientists are still alive, and their motivation may now be stronger than ever.Iran Will Choose to FightTehran now faces a choice: capitulate or retaliate. Based on history, ideology, and culture, the odds overwhelmingly favor retaliation.Surrender is antithetical to Irans revolutionary mindset. The Islamic Republic has endured war, sanctions, and sabotage. Its leadership interprets resistance as divine duty. This strike may have weakened Irans enrichment infrastructure, but it will likely strengthen the regimes resolve.MISDIRECTION AND 'DECEPTION' LIKELY KEY IN TRUMP ADMINS SURPRISE IRAN STRIKEIran retains extensive capabilities: ballistic missiles, global proxy networks, cyber weapons, and elite paramilitary forces. This is not the endit is the beginning of a new phase.Four Likely Iranian ResponsesWas This a Strategic Miscalculation?If President Trump acted without solid intelligence, the risk is real: that we have provoked a long war on shaky grounds. Unlike the Iraq invasion in 2003, Irans enrichment program is genuinebut neutralizing it with airstrikes alone will not work. This war, if it escalates, will not be fought on our terms.CLICK HERE FOR MORE FOX NEWS OPINIONWhat is more, the strike could backfire politically inside Iran. Rather than destabilizing the regime, it may unify it. Public humiliation of key sites like Fordow plays directly into the regimes "Great Satan" narrative, fueling nationalism and quelling dissent.Prepare for a Shadow WarThe U.S. and its allies must now pivot quickly to containment, deterrence, and resilience. Air defenses must be reinforced. Cyber infrastructure must be secured. Intelligence agencies must track Iranian networks abroad. And most importantly, diplomatic channels must remain opento allies and, when possible, to adversaries.This is not the time for complacency. It is a time for clear strategy, disciplined leadership, and vigilance.After the Applause, the ReckoningThe deed is done. Irans nuclear sites lie in ruinsbut its will to retaliate is not. President Trumps triumphant tone "Fordow is gone," he declaredmay play well politically, but it also risks underestimating a hardened adversary.Iran has absorbed assassinations, sanctions, and cyberattacks. It has endured war and isolation. What it has not donewhat it is unlikely to do nowis give up.The American people must be preparednot just for victory narratives, but for volatility. The battlefield ahead is asymmetric, unpredictable, and global. It will test not only our military but our wisdom.The question now is no longer whether we acted. The question is: Was it worth the cost?CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM ROBERT MAGINNIS