The story: Iran’s supreme leader appears to have given his blessing for talks with the US. While qualified, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s intervention is notably taking place despite staunch opposition against engagement from the Islamic Republic’s hardline support base.

This comes as radicals are again targeting Vice President for Strategic Affairs Mohammad Javad Zarif, this time for comments made at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos. Zarif’s critics accuse him of projecting weakness by signaling Iran’s readiness to negotiate with the US. They also slam him for...