The story: As the Hamas-Israel war continues to escalate, the spiritual head of Iran’s Reformist movement has urged the state to adopt a more cautious stance on the conflict. An influential Iranian Sunni cleric has also sparked controversy after refraining from outright condemning Israel over the violence, deviating from the official line echoed by the government and state media.

The call for more caution could indicate a desire to avoid exacerbating tensions between Iran and the west. It may also reflect a challenge to the Islamic Republic’s steadfast support for the Palestinians.

The coverage: Reformist former president Mohammad Khatami (1997-2005) on Oct. 10 stressed the need for...