Emma Salisbury, a Senior Research Fellow at the Foreign Policy Institute, offers a critical analysis of recent US actions concerning Iran. She argues that these actions have reinforced the Iranian government's narrative portraying the United States as an antagonist. According to Salisbury, the US policies have essentially confirmed the Iranian regime’s longstanding claims of American hostility towards the country and its population.
Salisbury highlights how this perception has been particularly influenced by the policies enacted during former President Trump's administration, which she believes failed to challenge the Iranian government’s portrayal of the US as an adversary. This dynamic, she suggests, supports those within Iran who advocate a confrontational approach toward the US, complicating diplomatic relations and potentially contributing to greater instability in the region.