The story: In Iran, a top interior ministry official has been sacked following tension with lawmakers over his oversight on the 2024 parliamentary elections. As the polls near—and with the interior minister already out of favor with MPs—the dismissal underscores strains between the government and the parliament. These dynamics highlight how the conservative political camp remains mired in factional strife despite its takeover of all branches of power in 2021.

The coverage: The interior ministry on Aug. 13 announced the dismissal of its deputy for political affairs, Mohammad Reza Gholamreza. The news came just before midnight local time.

• Interior Minister Ahmad Vahidi on Aug. 15 appointed Qom Governor-General Seyyed Mohammad Taqi Shahcheraghi as his new deputy for political affairs.

The deputy interior minister for political affairs holds considerable influence. He or she heads the Elections Supervisory Board—which oversees...