Last Saturday, the International Atomic Energy Agency announced that Iran had met its initial obligations under the July 2015 nuclear agreement. Many hope that this will usher in a new era of rapprochement between Iran and the West. For the United Kingdom and the US in particular, it remains a complicated relationship. History could well be a burden, but if handled correctly it could be an invaluable guide.Under the deal, Iran agreed to dismantle substantial elements of its nuclear programme and, in the final days of 2015, shipped 98 per cent of its enriched uranium to Russia. Last week, it deactivated the hard-water reactor at Arak. In return the EU and the United Nations lifted economic sanctions. The US did much the same, but will keep some sanctions that are linked to human rights and