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America and Israel's unilateral aggression against Iran lacked international legitimacy and predictably destabilized the entire region. But as justified as the Iranian leadership might feel in pursuing an obstinately maximalist strategy, it must be careful not to mistake short-term advantages for longer-term gains.

ISTANBUL—On February 28, the United States and Israel shocked the world by launching strikes across Iran and assassinating the country’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Civilian casualties quickly mounted, including 150 civilians—mostly children—killed when American missiles struck an elementary school. Iran duly retaliated by targeting Israel and US bases across the region and throttling maritime transit through the Strait of Hormuz.