For Iran, Exerting Force While Making Nice Is Part of the Plan

TEHRAN — Just as conservative opponents of the nuclear deal with Iran had warned Tehran seems to be moving aggressively to expand its regional influence while working to counter American interests throughout the Middle East.Yet, just as proponents of the deal had promised, Iran is also slowly opening up, cutting deals with Western businesses, establishing phone with the United States, speeding up the internet, welcoming hordes of European tourists and relaxing some social restrictions on its own people.

Tehran seems to be moving aggressively to expand its regional influence while working to counter American interests throughout the Middle East. What would seem to be a puzzling contradiction is in fact a carefully thought-out, two-track policy being pursued by the supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and the circle of leaders around him.Iranian generals are directing ground war in Syria. Iranian advisers are training Shiite militias fighting in Iraq and Syria. Iranian arms and other support help the Houthi rebels in Yemen.

Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2016/10/26/world/middleeast/iran-nuclear-deal-ali-khamenei.html