Pakistan, Jan. 29 -- The temperature around Iran is rising again, and with it the danger of a familiar calamity. Fresh warnings from US President Donald Trump that "time is running out" for a deal, while additional US naval assets are positioned in the Gulf, underline the fragile moment facing Middle Eastern diplomacy. Washington, meanwhile, insists such signals are meant to strengthen leverage and deter escalation.

Against this din, a calmer voice has emerged from Ankara. Turkey's foreign minister cautioned publicly that attacking Iran would be wrong and urged Washington to "close the files one by one" with Tehran. It is advice rooted in experience and restraint-qualities conspicuously absent from the rhetoric of brinkmanship.

Pakistan...