Zeidon Alkinani, founding director of the Arab Perspectives Institute, said that while US President Trump has radically changed the style of diplomatic rhetoric, his pronouncements are unlikely to translate into "lasting action." Alkinani noted that Trump is "a very unique figure in world political history, especially considering his position in such a sensitive political climate." "There has been a huge, even surreal, shift in diplomatic language and rhetoric compared to what we've been used to," Alkinani said. He specifically cited Trump's February 2025 meeting with Ukrainian President Zelensky in the Oval Office, where Trump and Vice President Vance launched a scathing critique of Zelensky on camera.
Alkinani said, "The Iranians—like many other countries dealing with the US (whether allies or not)—are very aware that Trump is a highly reactive and impulsive person, and many of his pronouncements are unlikely to translate into lasting action." He added that Trump had previously called for regime change in Iran but later expressed a willingness to negotiate directly with "the regime he claimed to have overthrown."
