The fate of newspapers is one window into Iran's larger political stand-off. Mr. Rouhani, who defeated a raft of conservative rivals last June, wants more open publishing. Fundamentalists reject that and want to deny Rouhani any victory. "They want to send a message to people who support change that Rouhani coming to office will change nothing," says Mr. Mohammadi. "Critics of [Rouhani] know if they frustrate the people, they can easily defeat the government... They want to prevent the government from sending the message to the people that change is coming."