The story: The likely appointment of Robert Malley as US special envoy for Iran has gained the attention of Iranian media and officials. Reformist outlets and a senior presidential advisor are welcoming it as a positive sign for the revival of the nuclear deal, while hardliners say there is no difference between Joe Biden and Donald Trump on US policy towards Iran. Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has firmly stated that Iran will consider the “practical removal of sanctions”.

The coverage: The hardline Farhikhtegan newspaper on Jan. 26 published a story under the headline “The advocate of smart sanctions will be the US envoy to Iran”, referring to Malley’s remarks at...