The story: Statements from a top official at Iran’s health ministry about Moscow’s Sputnik V production line in the country has fueled anti-Russia sentiment on Iranian social media. The official stated that the local vaccine production line is of no use to Iranians, since the Russians could export the vaccine produced in Iran to other countries. In an effort to quell public discontent, the Iranian ambassador to Moscow and a representative from the health ministry have both said the latter remarks have been distorted.  

The coverage:  Alireza Raisi, Iran’s deputy health minister and spokesperson for the National Headquarters for Countering the Coronavirus, stated on July 18 that...