The story: Leaked excerpts of a wide-ranging exchange between a prominent journalist and Iran’s foreign minister are making waves on Iranian social media. The three-hour audio clip covers a wide range of topics. What has grabbed most attention, however, is Mohammad Javad Zarif’s criticism of Russia, and relatedly, the influence of the Quds Force—including late commander Qasem Soleimani. The leak comes on the same day that reports have surfaced of Zarif having written to the supreme leader in March to request that harsh critics of the Iran nuclear deal be contained and pressure on his negotiating team be halted...