Reform Gets a Boost

One of the unexpected casualties of Sept. 11 was Iran's uniformly hard-line attitude toward the "Great Satan," the United States. The atrocities gave the country's reformists a much-needed moral and political boost, convincing many the time was right to push for better relations with Washington despite the objections of hard-liners and ideologues.

"There's a realization that we're confronting issues that place our interests in direct danger," says Hadi Semati, an adviser to President Mohammed Khatami, "that it is...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!