Svejk is right: Israel is by far the most democratic country in the Middle East. Iran has elections, but well, so do a lot of countries you would hardly call free..
That said it indeed has a society with a lot more going for it than Saudi Arabia's medieval society. surely has to be a good thing to try and bring Iran, a huge and powerful country, out of the cold, if possible.
Arguably they are less likely to acquire nuclear weapons if they are being monitored, as they will be.
On the other hand some fear an arms race in the area now.