The story: Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has strongly discouraged a "non-tactical retreat" and pushed for "bravery" in the face of “psychological warfare." The comments raise the question of whether a “tactical retreat” may be on the agenda, particularly as engagement with the west is gaining renewed prominence.

This comes amid continued uncertainty over how, or when, Iran may respond to Israel’s killing of Hamas political bureau chief Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran. Meanwhile, as new President Masoud Pezeshkian faces a growing list of...