U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee says recent rhetoric emerging from Iran demonstrates that the country’s leadership has not fundamentally changed its posture toward the United States, despite periodic discussions about diplomacy.
Speaking to Fox News, Huckabee pointed to reports from The Times of Israel that a large banner reading, “We Will Kill Trump,” was displayed during funeral events held in Mashhad. Huckabee argued that the message reflected sentiments he believes have characterized Iran’s leadership for decades.
“I think it’s important for Americans to understand that what the Iranians are saying and doing is nothing that they haven’t been doing for 47 years,” Huckabee said.
“This is a long-standing ‘Death to America’ chant that they’ve had. They really haven’t changed.”
Huckabee also dismissed suggestions that recent attacks on commercial shipping could be attributed to rogue actors operating outside the Iranian government’s control. He said he has seen little evidence that influential moderates within Iran’s leadership are capable of steering the country toward a more peaceful course.
“It would be wonderful if there were truly moderate voices with real authority,” Huckabee said in substance, adding that he does not believe the available evidence supports that conclusion.
Was a pleasure to be w/ @aishahhasnie @FoxNews today. Iranians hold ‘kill Trump’ flags at Khamenei’s funeral https://t.co/i71swr11VJ #FoxNews
— Ambassador Mike Huckabee (@GovMikeHuckabee) July 11, 2026
According to The Times of Israel, Iran’s leadership has continued to issue forceful statements following the recent conflict. The publication reported that Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei released a written message on Telegram pledging retaliation.
“We pledge to avenge the blood of the martyred leader and all the martyrs of these two wars from the criminal and disgraced killers,” the statement said.
“This vengeance is the will of our nation and must inevitably be carried out.”
The message also warned that those responsible would not escape accountability, declaring that officials possessed “a complete list” of those they considered responsible.
At the same time, diplomatic efforts have reportedly continued behind the scenes. Regional officials have expressed hope that negotiations can resume despite recent military exchanges and attacks on commercial shipping.
According to The Times of Israel, the latest U.S. position includes demands that Iran publicly acknowledge freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz and commit to ending attacks on vessels transiting the waterway.
“What we’re demanding is that the Iranians issue a public statement that acknowledges all channels of the Strait of Hormuz are open, and they’re not shooting at ships anymore,” one U.S. official told the publication. “They’re either going to give us that statement, or we’re not having a good outcome for them.”
The official added that while President Donald Trump had authorized diplomatic engagement, additional attacks would prompt another military response.
“The president has directed us to talk but as he’s shown a willingness to do, if they keep on shooting at ships or they engage on any other hostile acts, then we’re going to hit them back.”
The report also stated that U.S. officials view Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile as a central issue in any future agreement.
“I just want to be clear here that if we don’t get the dust, we do not have a deal with Iran,” one official said, emphasizing that the administration considers the issue non-negotiable.
