As they contemplate their relations with the “Great Satan”, Iran’s rulers must prioritize long-term ideological and geopolitical goals over short- to medium-term political gains. While full normalization is out of the question (and would in any case take decades to bear fruit) any thaw in any aspect of this complex file will have profound consequences for domestic and international policy. Iran’s rulers take pride in projecting their country as the only authentic and serious counter to American power in the world.
