Former US President Donald Trump's handling of the Iran crisis has sparked debate regarding his use of the 'madman theory,' a diplomatic strategy initially associated with Richard Nixon. This approach involves making extreme threats to compel adversaries into compliance, with the underlying premise that the threats must be credible. Trump's rhetoric included warnings of total destruction if Iran did not comply with US demands, but his credibility was questioned as his threats often preceded negotiations. While the Strait of Hormuz was reopened, Iran secured financial benefits, suggesting that it did not yield without gaining something in return. Experts note that the effectiveness of the 'madman theory' is limited, particularly when dealing with regimes that do not respond to conventional pressures. In both Nixon's and Trump's cases, the strategy led to escalations followed by negotiations, but the outcomes were not definitively favorable, leaving the real impact of such tactics in doubt.