Could the Israel-Iran war lead to regional peace?

In Middle Eastern politics, hidden agendas, unintended consequences and surprise outcomes are the rule, not the exception. That’s why what began as a catastrophic Israeli failure on Oct. 7 may yield not only an end to Iran’s nuclear ambitions but to progress in the region and an end to the tragedy in Gaza.

There are at least two ways to view Israel’s attack on Iran. Critics would argue Israel has not been transparent about its intelligence, its coordination with the U.S. or its true aims...