Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei accused the U.S. of becoming a 'promoter of terrorism' after President Trump reshared a clip that appeared to advocate killing Iranians who oppose a peace deal. The White House has extended the ceasefire indefinitely to allow Iran to submit a peace plan, but it is unclear whether Iran will meet the U.S. delegation. Reports say Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf may skip a second round of talks amid alleged IRGC interference and has warned the IRGC could 'reveal new cards' if conflict resumes.
Iran Labels U.S. a 'Promoter of Terrorism' After Trump Reshares Call to Kill Opponents
Iran Foreign Ministry spokesperson: US ‘appears to become a promoter of terrorism’
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei sharply criticized the United States on Thursday, accusing Washington of becoming a 'promoter of terrorism' after President Trump reshared a clip that appeared to endorse violence against Iranians who oppose a peace deal.
Reshared Clip Sparks Outrage
Baqaei's condemnation referred to a post Trump shared on Truth Social featuring a clip of Fox News contributor Marc Thiessen speaking with host Brian Kilmeade. In the clip, Thiessen is shown saying that 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.' In his statement on X, Baqaei did not name Thiessen, instead referring to the source 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. What should one call this, if not a profound moral failure?'
Ceasefire Extended As Talks Remain Uncertain
The U.S. administration announced that Mr. Trump has indefinitely extended the ceasefire to give Iranian negotiators time to present a peace plan. It is not yet clear whether Iran has agreed to meet the U.S. delegation; Trump said a second round of talks could begin as early as Friday.
Questions Over Iranian Delegation
Israel's Channel 12 reported that Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, the Speaker of the Iranian Parliament who took part in the first round of negotiations, will not attend the second round. The outlet cited an unnamed source and reported that Qalibaf stepped aside because of interference from Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) generals. Qalibaf and Iranian officials have not publicly confirmed those reports.
U.S. officials have described both Qalibaf and Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei as closely aligned with the IRGC, according to the reporting.
Warnings From Iran's Parliament Speaker
On Thursday, Qalibaf posted on X that in Iran 'there are no radicals or moderates.' His post, translated from Persian, added: '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 hostilities between the U.S. and Iran resume. Earlier this week he accused Trump of violating the ceasefire deal by imposing a blockade in the Strait of Hormuz and wrote, '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.'
The situation remains fluid: diplomatic efforts continue while accusations and warnings from both sides raise tensions and uncertainty about whether substantive talks will proceed.
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