Introduction: International relations theory and the moderation of revolutionary states. The case of Iran

In the fall 2009 edition of Security Studies, Terhalle asked ‘why states stay revolutionary so long’ and applied it to Iran. The contributions to this symposium critically review the arguments made then in light of what is now widely believed to reflect substantial changes in Iran’s foreign policy. Therefore, revisiting his propositions seem to be all the more timely as Tehran’s change of attitude and the responses from its international negotiating partners are about to produce ‘The New Deal’.