Fox News anchor Bret Baier on Thursday defended his use of the phrase "Trump derangement syndrome" to describe how critics of President Trump Donald John TrumpHR McMaster says president's policy to withdraw troops from Afghanistan is 'unwise' Cast of 'Parks and Rec' reunite for virtual town hall to address Wisconsin voters Biden says Trump should step down over coronavirus response MORE responded to his address to the nation following Iranian missile attacks.

In an interview with Mediaite, Baier doubled down on his assertion that some Democrats were unable to acknowledge Trump's softer tone on Iran due to a pathological need to oppose all of the president's statements and actions.

"Listen, I think that that if you actually watch the whole soundbite, it’s pretty self-explanatory. But if you read the headlines in the media who cover media, maybe it wasn’t," Baier said of Trump's remarks, adding that the president extended a clear "olive branch" to Tehran.

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He went on to say that Democrats who "continue to criticize [Trump] on different fronts, then you have to wonder if Trump derangement syndrome doesn’t play into some of that."

"If you’re going to be fair, and you’re going to call balls and strikes, you also have to give a hat tip, and you have to say, 'Why isn’t one coming from the people who were calling for an off-ramp?'" Baier added.

Trump struck a more measured tone toward Iran on Wednesday when he said the U.S. "is ready to embrace peace with all who seek it."

The remarks came just hours after Iranian missiles struck two bases in Iraq housing U.S. troops, though no casualties were reported.

Trump's congressional allies, like Sen. Lindsey Graham Lindsey Olin GrahamThe Hill's Campaign Report: Arizona shifts towards Biden | Biden prepares for drive-in town hall | New Biden ad targets Latino voters Senate Democrats' campaign arm announces seven-figure investment to boost Graham challenger Graham: Comey to testify about FBI's Russia probe, Mueller declined invitation MORE (R-S.C.), hailed the president's speech as a gesture of goodwill.

“To the Iranian people: President Trump laid out a pathway forward for peace and prosperity,” Graham said following the speech. “I hope you take it.”