The latest U.S.-Israeli strike on Iran, carried out while Washington and Tehran remain engaged in nuclear negotiations, exposes a troubling contradiction at the heart of U.S. policy: diplomacy is invoked publicly, but force is exercised decisively.

Even more alarming was the U.S. administration's explicit call for Iranians to overthrow their government. It is an undisguised assault on sovereignty and a direct violation of the non-interference principle enshrined in the UN Charter.

Resorting to force at the very moment diplomacy shows promise sends a dangerous message: that might, not law, has the final say. Such a message erodes the foundations of the international system and pushes an already volatile region closer to the brink.

Produced by Xinhua Global Service ■