The story: Clubhouse, an audio-chat app that launched in Apr. 2020, is gaining popularity in Iran. Politically-focused chat rooms appear to be especially attractive for Iranian users, prompting speculation about the app’s possible effect on the upcoming Jun. 18 presidential elections. Thus far, Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps commander and potential candidate Rostam Qasemi has appeared in a chat room to take questions from users.

The coverage: Both conservatives and Reformists are recognizing Clubhouse’s cultural potentials, utilizing it to promote their preferred presidential hopefuls, and discussing the candidacies of other likely contenders...