The story: Iran’s vice president for strategic affairs is once again at the center of a clash between hardliners and the Reformist government. Shortly after his appointment in August, conservatives attempted to eject Mohammad Javad Zarif from the Masoud Pezeshkian administration citing a law that bars individuals with dual citizen family members from holding key positions. Now, the parliament has voted down an attempt by the government to amend the legislation at the heart of the controversy.

The coverage: The parliament on Nov. 17 voted 207-38 to reject a government-drafted bill to revise a law used by hardliners...