The story: Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has officially endorsed Ebrahim Raisi as president. The former chief justice received his new credentials at a ceremony in Tehran on Aug. 3. In a speech, Raisi promised to improve the livelihoods of ordinary Iranians who have been hit by US sanctions, but did not unveil a clear and comprehensive roadmap for the path ahead.

The coverage: "We seek the lifting of the sanctions…but we will not tie the economy and livelihoods to negotiations [with foreigners]," Raisi declared at the televised ceremony...