I think this 'blink' by the Ayatollah will lead to the downfall of the mullah/imam over-rule in Iran.
I think what is beginning to emerge as the exit strategy in the Islamic world is going to be a Turkish system where a strong secular state honors the Moslem heritage while focusing on the job of a state: civil society where law is equal, people are respected, and religion is not a veto.
I amy be wrong or premature, but my bet is it will work, and if this works in Turkey, it will happen in Iran and Iraq, and then Morrocco, Algeria, Egypt, Jordan
etc.
If this gets going, and there is not another bipolar world conflict a la the Cold War, it could happen relatively fast, in the next ten or so years.
Ed