Iran’s foreign ministry on Thursday accused the United States of becoming a “promoter of terrorism” after President Donald Trump shared a social media post that quoted a Fox News commentator calling for the killing of Iranians who oppose a peace agreement.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei condemned Trump for amplifying the remark on his Truth Social platform, which cited Fox News contributor Marc Thiessen. In the clip, Thiessen told host Brian Kilmeade: “If there are two factions in Iran, one that wants a deal and one that doesn’t, let’s kill the ones who don’t want a deal.” Baqaei did not name Thiessen directly, referring to him only as “an individual.”
“The United States, which once presented itself as a cradle of democracy, freedom, and human values, now appears to become a promoter of terrorism, murder, and mass violence,” Baqaei wrote on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter. “What should one call this, if not a profound moral failure?”
The accusation comes amid a fragile ceasefire between Washington and Tehran. Trump has indefinitely extended the truce to give Iranian negotiators time to submit a peace plan. It remains unclear whether Iran has agreed to meet with the U.S. delegation, though Trump indicated a second round of talks could take place as early as Friday. The diplomatic maneuvering follows a period of heightened tension, including U.S. seizures of Iranian oil tankers and Iranian attacks on commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz.
Israel’s Channel 12 reported that Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, the speaker of the Iranian parliament who participated in the first round of negotiations, will not take part in the second round. The outlet, citing an unnamed source, said Qalibaf stepped down due to interference from Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps generals. Neither Qalibaf nor the Iranian government has confirmed the report. Both Qalibaf and Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei are perceived by the U.S. as closely aligned with the IRGC.
On Thursday, Qalibaf posted on X that in Iran, “there are no radicals or moderates.” He wrote: “We are all ‘Iranian’ and ‘revolutionary,’ and with the iron unity of the nation and government, with complete obedience to the Supreme Leader of the Revolution, we will make the aggressor criminal regret his actions. One God, one leader, one nation, and one path; that path being the path to victory for Iran, dearer than life.”
Qalibaf has previously warned that the IRGC is “prepared to reveal new cards” if fighting resumes. On Monday, he accused Trump of violating the ceasefire by imposing a blockade in the Strait of Hormuz. “We do not accept negotiations under the shadow of threats, and in the past two weeks, we have prepared to reveal new cards on the battlefield,” he wrote on X.
The exchange underscores the deep mistrust between the two nations as they navigate a precarious truce. Trump’s social media activity has drawn scrutiny amid the foreign policy crisis, with critics questioning the impact of his unvetted posts on delicate negotiations. The administration has defended the president’s approach, framing it as a pressure tactic to force Iran to the table.
