The story: Mixed statements are emerging from Tehran on possible next steps on the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). The outgoing moderate government and the secretariat of the Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) have made contradictory announcements about whether the top decision-making council has decided on how to proceed with the diplomatic talks on the revival of the JCPOA. This comes only weeks before conservative President-elect Ebrahim Raisi is set to take office.

The contention: In his weekly press conference, government spokesman Ali Rabiei was early on July 20 cited as saying that..