The story: The apparently politicized dismissal of a prominent philosophy professor in Iran has sparked a broad and cross-partisan public backlash. Reformists and conservatives alike have questioned the expulsion of professor Bijan Abdolkarimi from the state-controlled Islamic Azad University over his alleged support for the ousted monarchy led by the Pahlavi family. The backlash has resulted in the university chancellor temporarily halting the dismissal pending the outcome of a review of the decision.

The coverage: According to Islamic Azad University (IAU) officials, Abdolkarimi was sacked on Sept. 5 for “defending the Pahlavi monarchy"...