Since the onset of nuclear negotiations between Iran and the West, there has been much debate about the prospects for rapprochement and the seriousness of the Iranian contribution to that trend. This debate has been complicated by the inconsistency in Iranian public statements, with many officials continuing to issue threats against the US even as the administration of Iranian President Hassan Rouhani periodically claims that relations between the two countries have turned a corner.
Even Rouhani and his cabinet ministers have contributed to the ongoing bellicosity, however. One recent example, arguably, is his suggestion last week that Tehran might be willing to consider releasing three American citizens held prisoner in Iran, but only after the US first releases 19 Iranians imprisoned for sanctions violations.
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On Monday, Tehran claimed that the delivery of that S-300 system was now officially underway, according to the Times of Israel. Recently, Tehran also intimated that this deliver could set the stage for other advanced weapons transfers, as Iran and Russia have been engaged in high-level talks about both economic and military cooperation.
From fighting terrorist to supporting them. Now I call that real fundamental change.