This week’s whipsaw chain of events involving Iran, Israel and the United States that culminated in a surprise ceasefire has raised many questions about how the Trump administration will approach the Middle East going forward.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security warned Americans of a "heightened threat environment" on June 22 that could include attacks on U.S. soil. That fear appeared to dissipate when Iran attacked a United States military base in Qatar June 23, injuring no one.

Iran said on Tuesday that it was ready to return to negotiations with the United States, as a fragile ceasefire in its war with Israel took hold after 12 days of strikes that pummelled the Islamic republic's nuclear facilities.