Hah. I just answered my question. Looks like I missed a key phrase in the tgp article:
The leaked audio was obtained by The New York Times and other outlets and the Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh effectively confirmed the leaked tape’s authenticity.
Note "other outlets".
So NYT is trying to reframe the narrative to minimize the damage.
Several questions come to mind:
The last question concerns me the most. I also wonder if it's intentional distraction. Seems like a dumb intentional move though.
Though I wonder if it's possible Kerry was going to squeal and this was retribution from the DS?
Hah. I just answered my question. Looks like I missed a key phrase in the tgp article:
Note "other outlets".
So NYT is trying to reframe the narrative to minimize the damage.